The Ultimate Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta with Bacon

Happy 4th of July! If you’re looking for the perfect, hearty, and incredibly flavorful meal to serve after a long day of celebration, you’ve officially found it. This Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta with Bacon is the ultimate comfort food dish that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

This is your definitive guide to creating a restaurant-quality pasta dish that is packed with amazing flavors and textures. We’ll show you how to create a uniquely creamy and sweet corn sauce, and toss it with tender seasoned chicken, smoky bacon, and perfectly cooked pasta. It’s a complete and satisfying meal that feels indulgent but comes together with surprising ease.

What makes this recipe so special is its clever, corn-infused cream sauce and the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and savory flavors. This Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta is destined to become a new family favorite for holidays, special occasions, and busy weeknights alike.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

The Secret to the Best Creamy Corn Sauce

The absolute star of this Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta is the unique and brilliant corn sauce. Instead of a standard, heavy cream sauce, this recipe uses a clever technique to create a sauce that is both luxuriously creamy and intensely flavorful.

Here’s the secret: we cook all the corn in the skillet first to develop its flavor, then we remove half of it. The remaining half is simmered with the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. As it cooks, the starches from the corn release, naturally thickening the sauce and infusing it with an incredible, sweet corn flavor. The other half of the corn kernels are added back at the end, providing a wonderful, sweet pop of texture in every bite. This technique is the key to a truly unforgettable Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta.

The Key Ingredients for Your Comfort Food Pasta

Each ingredient in this Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta is chosen to build layers of rich, comforting flavor.

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are excellent here as they are juicy and flavorful. Breasts also work perfectly. The chicken is seasoned with smoked paprika and Italian seasoning for a savory, smoky crust. Holiday Pro-Tip: This is a fantastic way to use up leftover grilled chicken from your 4th of July barbecue!
• Corn: Fresh, sweet summer corn cut off the cob will provide the absolute best flavor for this dish. The smoky char from grilling it first would take this recipe to a whole new level. Good quality frozen corn is a great year-round alternative.
• Bacon: Eight strips of crispy, crumbled bacon add a salty, smoky, and crunchy element that perfectly complements the sweet corn and creamy sauce.
• The Sauce Base: A simple combination of heavy cream and freshly shredded Parmesan cheese creates the rich and savory foundation for our corn sauce.
• Farfalle (Bow-Tie) Pasta: This shape is perfect for catching the creamy sauce and the small pieces of corn and bacon. Any short pasta with ridges or curves, like rotini or penne, would also be a great choice.

Step-by-Step Guide to Your Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta

This impressive pasta dish comes together in one skillet (plus a pot for the pasta). Follow these simple steps for a perfect result.

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook your farfalle pasta according to the package directions until it is al dente (cooked through but still with a firm bite). Drain the pasta and set it aside.
2. Prepare the Cheese: While the pasta cooks, shred your Parmesan cheese. The recipe offers a great tip: let the shredded cheese sit out at room temperature while you cook. Room temperature cheese will melt much more smoothly and easily into the warm sauce without clumping.
3. Cook the Chicken: Slice your chicken into thin strips and season it generously with the smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until it’s golden brown and cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken to a plate and set it aside.
4. Cook the Corn: In the same, now empty, skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the 2 cups of cooked corn kernels, salt, pepper, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon of chili powder. Stir and cook in the flavorful chicken juices over low heat for about 3 minutes to toast the corn and bloom the spices.
5. Make the Creamy Corn Sauce: Remove half of the seasoned corn kernels from the skillet and set them aside with the cooked chicken. To the skillet with the remaining half of the corn, add the 1 cup of heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
6. Melt the Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and add the ½ cup of shredded Parmesan cheese. Stir constantly until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
7. Combine and Serve: Add the cooked and drained pasta and the cooked chicken to the skillet with the creamy sauce. Toss everything together to coat. Top your Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta with the reserved corn kernels, the chopped cooked bacon, and a garnish of fresh herbs like thyme or oregano. Serve immediately and enjoy!

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Storage and Reheating

Leftover Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta makes for a delicious and decadent lunch. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to loosen up the sauce.

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Conclusion: The Ultimate Comfort Food Pasta

This Creamy Chicken and Corn Pasta is a true celebration of comforting and delicious flavors. It’s a hearty, satisfying, and impressive meal that feels special enough for a holiday, but is easy enough for a weeknight. The unique creamy corn sauce, the smoky bacon, and the savory chicken come together in perfect harmony. This is a recipe that is destined to become a new family favorite.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)