Jalapeno Popper Chicken Pasta

🧂 Ingredients

• 1 pound pasta

  (any shape you like)
• 12 ounces bacon

  (diced)
• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  (small or thin cut)
• salt
• pepper
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour

  (optional)
• 5 jalapeño peppers

  (4 diced, 1 sliced thin)
• 2 cloves garlic

  (minced)
• 16 ounces cream cheese

  (cut into 1 inch chunks)
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese

  (shredded)

Instructions

• 1 Start a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the pasta according to the
  directions on the package. Drain and set aside until the sauce is done.
• 2 Heat a large, deep skillet over medium heat and add the bacon. Cook until just
  crisp, about 7-10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined
  plate and set aside.
• 3 Return the skillet to medium-high heat.
• 4 Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge both sides in the flour (if
  using) to lightly coat, shaking off any excess flour.
• 5 Cook in the bacon grease for approximately 4-6 minutes per side, or until done
  through and no longer pink in the center. The internal temperature of chicken
  needs to reach 165ºF on a meat thermometer [https://amzn.to/3SpwzHN] inserted
  into the center of the thickest portion.
• 6 Remove to the plate, tent with foil to keep warm and set aside.
• 7 Drain all but about 1 teaspoon of the bacon grease out of the pan.
• 8 Add the diced jalapeño pepper and cook, stirring often, until the peppers are
  tender and starting to char.
• 9 Stir in the garlic and cook another 30 seconds.
• 10 Add the cream cheese and milk and cook, stirring, until smooth and creamy, about
  5 minutes.
• 11 Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until
  melted and well combined.
• 12 Once the cheese is all melted, add about 3/4ths of the bacon.
• 13 Stir the pasta into the sauce.
• 14 To serve, spoon the pasta into bowls. Slice the chicken and place on top of the
  pasta.
• 15 Garnish with the extra bacon and slices of jalapeño peppers.

Nutrition Info