Description
Savory one-pan creamy chicken and bacon zucchini noodles bring Italian-inspired comfort straight to your dinner table. Creamy sauce, crispy bacon, and tender chicken mingle with spiralized zucchini for a low-carb meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) chicken breast, sliced
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2 large zucchinis, spiralized
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy and Seasonings:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Blend Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with the spice mixture.
- Heat skillet over medium flame. Render bacon until golden and crisp, approximately 5-6 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel, reserving 2 tablespoons of rendered fat.
- Sear seasoned chicken in the same skillet, achieving a rich golden brown on each side. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove and keep warm.
- Quickly sauté minced garlic and red pepper flakes in the skillet for 30 seconds, releasing aromatic flavors.
- Add halved cherry tomatoes, cooking for 2-3 minutes until they begin to burst and soften. Pour heavy cream, allowing mixture to simmer and slightly thicken.
- Incorporate half the Parmesan cheese, stirring until completely melted and sauce becomes velvety smooth.
- Fold fresh spinach into the sauce, wilting leaves within 1-2 minutes.
- Reintroduce chicken and crispy bacon to the skillet. Gently fold in zucchini noodles, heating everything together for 3-4 minutes.
- Taste and fine-tune seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Garnish with remaining Parmesan cheese before serving immediately.
Notes
- Swap zucchini noodles with spiralized carrots or butternut squash for different nutrient profiles and flavors.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream to reduce calories and add protein for a healthier version.
- Toast spices before seasoning chicken to enhance their depth and release more complex aromatics.
- Keep bacon crispy by draining on paper towels to maintain maximum crunchiness and prevent sogginess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 50 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg