Hello, hello – welcome to a new week!
We had a wonderful weekend chock-full of family time. I’m so sad it’s over! Lincoln’s baptism yesterday was absolutely beautiful. He behaved himself so well and even threw the pastor off when he looked up from his hymnal to see Lincoln grinning at the sound of his voice. So proud of my stoic little man!
My brother and sister-in-law served as his sponsors, and we couldn’t have been happier to have them up there with us (sorry to cut your head off, bro – shrink a few inches, why don’t ya’!) ; )
After the service we had a big brunch for Ben’s and my family. It was a full house, and a fun preview of family gatherings and holidays to come. Before we moved into our new place I was kind of a hosting grinch – there just wasn’t enough room to have more than a few people over. Now we can all spread out and run around. It is so much better!
Awkward family photo!
My in-laws and Ben’s brothers stayed with us this weekend to celebrate Lincoln’s big day, so Saturday afternoon I whipped up a huge pot of Chicken, Bacon, and Artichoke Pasta with Creamy Garlic Sauce for lunch.
This dish is the pasta version of one of my favorite pizzas with the same name from Papa Murphy’s (take ‘n’ bake, baby!) and it feeds a crowd. Chicken, bacon, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach are tossed with chewy pasta then smothered in a luscious creamy garlic and herb sauce. I’d say the taste is nearly identical!!
Start by cooking 12oz penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside. Easy.
Next, cook 1/4lb chopped bacon (4 slices, y’all) in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, then remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Remove all but 1 teaspoon bacon grease from the skillet. Don’t forget to use my easy bacon grease disposal trick!
Add 1lb chopped chicken breasts to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, then cook until no longer pink. Then add 1 can quartered artichoke hearts that have been drained and chopped up, and 1/4 cup julienned sun-dried tomatoes. Cook until the artichokes are heated through, 3-4 minutes.
Finally add 5oz fresh spinach (about half a bag of DOLE spinach) then toss with tongs until wilted, 1-2 minutes.
Oh yum!
K! Now, you can cook the chicken/artichoke mixture first then make the creamy garlic sauce second, or if you’re confident enough, you can do them both at the same time. You can do it!
In a skillet or saucepan, melt 2 Tablespoons butter in 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil over medium heat, then add 4 cloves minced garlic and saute for 30 seconds. This may seem like a lot of fat, but remember, this recipe makes a TON of food.
Next sprinkle in 1/4 cup flour and whisk until smooth, then slowly stream in 1-1/2 cups each milk and chicken broth while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. I used 2% milk, but you could use whatever you’ve got in the fridge.
Season the sauce with salt and pepper then switch to a wooden spoon and stir frequently until thick and bubbly, about 10 minutes.
To finish ‘er off, add 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary.
Garliriffic!
Everybody into the pool! That is to say, combine the cooked pasta with chicken and artichoke mixture, the garlic cream sauce, and cooked bacon (mmm, bacon.)
Toss to combine, then scoop & serve!
free email bonus
Dinner Made EASY
5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!
Chicken, Bacon, and Artichoke Pasta with Creamy Garlic Sauce
Description
Chicken, Bacon, and Artichoke Pasta with Creamy Garlic Sauce is the pasta version of one of my favorite pizzas. Garlicky and delicious!
Ingredients
- 12oz penne pasta, dry
- 1/4lb bacon (4 slices,) chopped
- 1lb chicken breasts, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- salt and pepper
- 1 can quartered artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 1/4 cup julienned sun dried tomatoes
- 5oz baby spinach
- For the Creamy Garlic Sauce:
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1-1/2 cups milk (I used 2%)
- 1-1/2 cups chicken broth
- salt and pepper
- 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted, boiling water until al dente. Drain then set aside.
- Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate then discard all but 1 teaspoon bacon grease. Add chicken to the skillet then season with salt and pepper and saute until no longer pink. Add artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes then saute until warmed through, 3-4 minutes. Add spinach then flip with tongs until wilted, 1-2 minutes.
- Meanwhile melt butter in extra virgin olive oil in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic then saute for 30 seconds. Sprinkle in flour then whisk until smooth and cook for 1 minute. Slowly stream in milk and chicken broth, whisking to avoid lumps. Season with salt and pepper then switch to a wooden spoon and stir until thick and bubbly, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat then stir in parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
- Combine pasta, chicken and artichoke mixture, sauce, and bacon then scoop and serve.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
So many mouthwatering flavors in this dish – where do I even begin? Well, bacon, first of all. But those pops of sweet from sun-dried tomato, and garlicky punch from the sauce are just Heaven. Hope you love this pasta, and have a great week!
Meghan 11.06.2013
Hi – I am eating this right now and it is amazing! I love Papa Murphy’s and have missed it since I moved out of Iowa! What do you think about making this into a casserole-type bake-able dish? I signed up to make meals for a co-worker who had a death in her family and would love to make this for her in a way that she could just pop it in the oven…
Iowa Girl Eats 11.13.2013
I would undercook the noodles just slightly then pour everything into a casserole dish and top with grated fontina cheese, maybe. Then she could just bake/reheat!
Weekly Meals and Fitness (November 4-10) | A Full PlateA Full Plate 11.05.2013
[…] Chicken, Bacon and Artichoke Pasta with Creamy Garlic Sauce […]
Kristin 11.03.2013
I made this tonight and it was very good. The only thing is that the sauce was thicker than we would prefer (it kind of clumped onto the pasta, instead of being a light smooth sauce , if that makes sense) … it looked thicker than your sauce in the picture. I followed the recipe exactly … wondering what I could use next time to make it a bit thinner? My husband said white wine. ??
Iowa Girl Eats 11.04.2013
Hmm, that is odd because the sauce is supposed to be a lot lighter and silkier than a traditional alfredo sauce, for instance. Next time I’d add more chicken broth until it gets to the consistency you want, or just not cook it as long. Another trick I’ve learned with making sauces thickened with flour is to add the liquid veeery slowly while whisking constantly to make sure it doesn’t clump/seize up. I hope this helps!!
Kristin 11.06.2013
Thank you for your reply and tips on the sauce! I also made your panko baked salmon last night and it was very good!
JJ 11.04.2013
So interesting because I made it last night and the sauce was a lot thinner than I expected. I just added a bit more flour and parmesan cheese. Either way it was delicious!
Jess 11.02.2013
DELISH!!! I stumbled upon your blog/recipes about 4 months ago … since then I’ve made the crock pot breakfast casserole, taco pasta bake, and now this. I live in Minnesota, so I feel somewhat connected to you being that you are from Iowa :) Every single recipe I’ve made, people have loved. Kids and adults. And must I say that if my 2 kids love the dinner, it’s a huge success in my world :) I’m looking at making the almond-goat cheese-cherry salad next weekend with steak. MMMMM …. can’t wait! Thanks for all of these delicious recipes that everyone loves. You are a Godsend! :)
Megan 10.31.2013
Made this for dinner (halved the recipe and subbed roasted red pepper for the tomato) – it looked fancy and tasted delicious! Will probably save for special nights since I dirtied 4 pans and smoked up the house making bacon. Worth it for a crowd though :)
Christina 10.30.2013
Thanks for sharing your weekend with us. Baptism of a child is such a special time for a parent.
Made the Chicken Bacon Artichoke Pasta last night for a small gathering at our home. It was delicious! Love this combination!
To anyone else making it – don’t forget to add the salt and pepper each time Kristin recommends it … :)
Trisha 10.29.2013
You have THE fastest growing hair, I swear! Annnnd, a super beautiful family. :)
Katie @ Blonde Ambition 10.29.2013
That is my faaaavorite pizza from Papa Murphys! Definitely pinning this :)
Jessica @Food Luv Bites 10.29.2013
OMG this looks soooo good. I’ve been tempted to try artichoke for ages now. I think its time :D
Kelly K 10.29.2013
So, we are definitely food soulmates. I suspected it before, and this dish just confirmed it. I just love all of the recipes you post! I find myself printing one after the other – and then actually trying them at home and loving them! Looking forward to this one.
ShaNae 10.29.2013
You have a very beautiful family. Congrats on Lincolns baptism. What a special day!
The pasta looks delicious too!
Mandy 10.29.2013
Looks delicious! This will have to go in my stash of recipes to make when my boyfriend is out of town- he’s strictly a marinara guy. I noticed you used Barilla- I’m sure you’ve heard about the horrible comments made by their CEO about non-traditional families. Since you have such a big following, I think it would say so much for you to make a kinder choice on pasta next time. I know for my friends and I, it would make a big impression! Thank you!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious 10.29.2013
Awww, congrats on the baptism! I love all the photos! And your brother is so tall! He barely fits in the frame of the photo!
Loving this pasta too. Simply, easy, veggie, bacon goodness is what we need around here!
Jess 10.28.2013
What a cutie – Lincoln is getting so big! It must be so nice to have that big spacious house to entertain in – lots of great memories to be made!
Tieghan 10.28.2013
Awe!! I love all you family photos! So cute!
And great pasta! It is so fresh and pretty!
Coty and Mariah@quirksandtwists.com 10.28.2013
What a lovely weekend! This pasta has got to be made asap!
Betsy 10.28.2013
I love that black necklace, you all looked great at the baptism!
Jan @ Sprouts n Squats 10.28.2013
This looks delicious! I do not make pasta enough at home but should seriously get back into it and make this, yummy!
Kristen 10.28.2013
I’m looking forward to trying the sauce over veggies and rice for a comfort meal in winter! Congrats again on your little man!
Betsy Wiley 10.28.2013
Can’t wait to make this pasta. Love the look and I know I will love the taste! Off the subject… What wall color are you sporting behind your family photos? I’m sprucing up before the holidays!