Creamy Tuscan Chicken Spaghetti with Roasted Tomatoes and Bacon

If you love creamy pasta dishes, this Tuscan-inspired spaghetti is about to become your new favorite. Juicy chicken cutlets are seasoned with a warm Tuscan spice blend, pan-seared until golden and served atop a bed of al dente spaghetti coated in a luscious cream cheese and Parmesan sauce. Oven-roasted garlic and tomatoes add a sweet, tangy depth that perfectly balances the richness.

Crispy bacon crumbles and a final shower of Parmesan tie everything together, creating a hearty, soul-warming meal that feels special enough for company but simple enough for a weeknight. Each bite is packed with flavor-creamy, savory and just a little bit smoky. Get ready to twirl your fork into pure comfort.

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Ingredients

4 ounce BaconView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

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

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView 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

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in the middle. 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 foil to seal into a 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 tsp Tuscan Heat Spice (2 tsp for 4 servings), salt and pepper. Place the garlic packet on the sheet. Roast 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. Wipe out the pan. Once cool, roughly chop the bacon.
4. Add spaghetti to the boiling water 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 tsp Tuscan Heat Spice (2 tsp 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. Cover to keep warm.
6. Once garlic is roasted, carefully remove from foil. In the pasta pot, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 1 tsp Tuscan Heat Spice and the roasted garlic; mash with a spoon. Stir in ⅔ cup reserved pasta water, cream cheese, half the Parmesan and 2 tbsp butter (for 4 servings: 1 cup water, 3 tbsp butter). Cook until smooth. Turn off heat and season with salt and pepper.
7. Add spaghetti to the sauce and toss to coat. If needed, add more pasta water a splash at a time for 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 a different pasta shape?

Absolutely! Fettuccine, linguine or even penne work well with this creamy sauce.

How do I store leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or milk to revive the sauce.

Can I make this dish dairy-free?

You can substitute the cream cheese with a dairy-free version, use vegan butter and omit the Parmesan or use a dairy-free alternative. The flavor will vary slightly.