Chicken & Bacon Pasta with Spinach & Tomatoes

What you need:

• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 lb. chicken breasts or tenders
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 5 medium tomatoes, diced
• 1 cup spinach
• 5 cloves minced garlic
• 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• 6 bacon strips, cooked and chopped
• 1 1/3 cups half and half
• 1 1/3 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
• 10 oz. penne pasta
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, for serving

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil over medium high heat.
2. Add chicken and sprinkle tops of chicken with paprika and Italian seasoning.
3. Flip when bottom has browned and cook until browned on other side and chicken is cooked through. Remove from pan, slice into strips, and keep warm.
4. Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted water according to directions on package. Drain and rinse with cold water.
5. In the same skillet, add tomatoes, spinach, garlic, crushed red pepper, 1/3 of the cooked chicken, and half the cooked bacon. Stir to mix.
6. Add half and half and bring to a boil. Then add 1 1/3 cups shredded Parmesan and reduce heat immediately to low. Simmer and stir for about 1 to 2 minutes until cheese melts.
7. Remove from heat immediately and season with crushed red pepper and salt.
8. Add cooked pasta to the skillet. Add the other half of the bacon and stir into skillet.
9. Serve the pasta topped with chicken and Parmesan cheese.

Recipe from Julia's Album