Chicken Bacon Parmesan Pasta by Iizzyeats

Ingredients

• 450g (1 lb) penne or rigatoni pasta
• 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 6 strips bacon, chopped
• 500ml (2 cup) marinara sauce
• 100g (1 cup) parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
2. While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and fry the chopped bacon until crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving the fat in the pan. Add chicken pieces to the skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
4. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Pour in the marinara sauce and oregano, stirring to combine with the chicken. Simmer on low for 3-5 minutes.
6. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water. Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce, adding reserved water if needed to loosen.
7. Stir in the crispy bacon and half the parmesan cheese, then top with the remaining cheese before serving.