Chicken Alfredo with Bacon and Broccoli

This recipe for Chicken Alfredo with Bacon and Broccoli may seem complicated, but it couldn’t be easier! Using frozen broccoli and bacon crumbles will save you time, so you can get this delicious and creamy pasta dish on the table fast!

$14.25 per recipe / $1.43 per serving

Creamy fettuccine alfredo is a classic pasta dish that so many people love.

Add in chicken, bacon, and broccoli and you’ve got a deluxe version bursting with flavor!

This recipe for chicken alfredo with bacon and broccoli works because it’s:

• A great way to sneak in those veggies. Even though your kids will see the broccoli, they won’t be able to resist it when it’s covered in the delicious alfredo sauce.
• A nice break from the traditional dish. Chicken alfredo is such a classic, but sometimes it’s fun to switch things up.
• Easier than similar recipes. Using frozen broccoli and bacon crumbles will help you get this pasta recipe done in under 30 minutes!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cook 16 ounces of fettuccine according to package directions. Add 6 ounces of frozen broccoli for the last 4 minutes of cooking time. Drain both the broccoli and fettuccine and set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon of butter on medium-high heat in a large skillet. Cut 1½ pound of chicken breasts into several smaller pieces. If the pieces are extra-thick, cut them in half horizontally (butterfly). Season chicken with 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper and add to skillet.

Cook chicken pieces for 4-5 minutes on each side until no longer pink. Add pieces to a clean plate and cover with foil to keep warm.

Turn the heat to low and add 4 Tablespoons of butter and 3 cloves of minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until light brown, about 1 minute.

Next, add 8 ounces of cream cheese to the skillet and stir until the cream cheese has melted (about 2 minutes.)

Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream, stirring constantly as you add.

Slowly add 1½ cup of freshly shredded Parmesan cheese and whisk until melted and sauce is thick. Turn the heat to low and add 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning and salt and pepper to the sauce.

Add pasta and broccoli to the sauce and stir to coat.

Sprinkle 1/2 cup of bacon crumbles and stir well.

Slice the chicken pieces into even strips and place on top of pasta. Sprinkle with additional bacon crumbles and parsley, if desired.

Recipe Tips and Substitutions

I took several shortcuts in this recipe by using frozen broccoli and bacon crumbles. Here are a few other shortcuts and variations on the ingredients you can use depending on how much time you have and how fresh you want the dish to taste:

• Use shredded rotisserie chicken, instead of cooking chicken breasts. You would skip adding the chicken to the pan after the butter and follow the rest of the recipe the same.
• Cook up some bacon slices and crumble those in the pasta.
• Use fresh broccoli instead of frozen. Fresh broccoli needs longer to cook, so you’ll want to give it 6-8 minutes in the boiling water.

If you’re out of heavy cream, you can try half and half or evaporated milk.

When you add the cream cheese to the butter, it may start to look curdled. Just keep stirring it until it starts to melt down.

Make sure you use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the alfredo sauce. The biggest difference between a nice, creamy sauce and a thick clumpy sauce is using freshly grated cheese. The pre-shredded stuff that comes in a bag will not melt down well.

If you’re out of some of the ingredients, try these substitutions:

• Substitutes for butter
• Substitutes for Italian seasoning
• Substitutes for cream cheese

Recipe Costs

This yummy pasta dish makes a whopping 10 servings so it’s great for feeding a large family or a crowd. Smaller families can get 2 meals out of it, making it even more budget-friendly. The entire recipe costs $14.25 and each serving is $1.43.

• Fettuccine Pasta – $0.98
• Frozen Broccoli – $0.58
• Butter – $0.59
• Chicken Breasts – $4.00
• Garlic – $0.18
• Cream Cheese – $1.86
• Heavy Cream – $1.18
• Parmesan Cheese – $2.13
• Italian Seasoning – $0.16
• Bacon Crumbles – $2.59

More Like This

Looking for more quick and easy pasta dishes? You’ll love these!

• Creamy Gnocchi with Tomatoes
• Healthy Greek Yogurt Alfredo
• Spaghetti with Olive Oil and Garlic
• Authentic Spaghetti and Meatballs
• Cheesy Chicken Tomato Linguine

FAQs

I hope your family loves this chicken alfredo with bacon and broccoli! If you make it, be sure to take a picture and tag me on Instagram with @ashcroftfamilytable and use the hashtag #ashcroftfamilytable!