Creamy Tuscan Chicken and Bacon Spaghetti with Roasted Tomatoes

If you love creamy pasta dishes, this Tuscan-inspired spaghetti is about to become a new favorite. Tender chicken cutlets are seasoned with a warm Tuscan spice blend and pan-seared until golden, then served atop al dente spaghetti coated in a luscious cream cheese and Parmesan sauce. Oven-roasted tomatoes and garlic add a sweet, caramelized depth, while crispy bacon crumbles provide a savory crunch.

This dish is a satisfying twist on classic creamy pasta, with layers of flavor in every bite. The combination of rich sauce, perfectly cooked pasta and well-seasoned chicken makes for a hearty meal that feels special enough for a weekend dinner yet simple enough for a weeknight. Serve it with a side salad or crusty bread to complete the experience.

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Ingredients

4 tablespoon Cream CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3 tablespoon Parmesan CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

24 ounce Chicken CutletsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit TomatoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Tuscan Heat SpiceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 ounce SpaghettiView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce BaconView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 teaspoon (tsp) Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon (tsp) Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3 tablespoon (tbsp) ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry produce. Cut each tomato into 6 wedges. Place the whole garlic clove on a small piece of aluminum foil, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Fold the foil to create a sealed packet.
2. Line a baking sheet with foil and drizzle with oil. Arrange tomato wedges skin-side down on the sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon Tuscan Heat Spice (use 2 teaspoons for 4 servings), salt and pepper. Place the garlic packet on the sheet. Roast on the middle rack until tomatoes are just wilted, 20-25 minutes.
3. While tomatoes roast, heat a medium dry pan over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook, turning occasionally, until crispy, 6-10 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Once cool, roughly chop. Wipe out the pan.
4. When water is boiling, add spaghetti and cook until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Reserve ¾ cup pasta cooking water (1½ cups for 4 servings), then drain. Keep the empty pot handy.
5. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1 teaspoon Tuscan Heat Spice (2 teaspoons for 4 servings), salt and pepper. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in the same pan used for bacon over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until browned and cooked through, 5-7 minutes per side. Turn off heat and cover to keep warm.
6. Once garlic is roasted, carefully remove from foil. In the pasta pot, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon Tuscan Heat Spice and the roasted garlic; mash with the back of a spoon. Stir in ⅔ cup reserved pasta water, cream cheese, half the Parmesan and 2 tablespoons butter (for 4 servings: 1 cup water, 3 tablespoons butter). Stir until smooth. Turn off heat and season with salt and pepper.
7. Add spaghetti to the sauce and toss until evenly coated. If needed, add more pasta water a splash at a time to achieve a creamy consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Slice the chicken. Serve spaghetti topped with chicken, roasted tomatoes, bacon and remaining Parmesan.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use chicken breasts instead of cutlets?

Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Slice them in half horizontally to create thinner cutlets or pound them to an even thickness for quicker cooking.

What can I substitute for Tuscan Heat Spice?

A blend of dried Italian herbs like oregano, basil and rosemary with a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes works well.

Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use gluten-free spaghetti and ensure your cream cheese and Parmesan are gluten-free. Check all spice blends for additives.