Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Chicken & Bacon Alfredo with Garlic Parmesan Bread

Ingredients:

Sauce:  1/2 cup butter/margarine                    2 cups milk
             8oz cream cheese                               1 cup parmesan (grated)
             2tsp garlic powder                              1/8 ground black pepper
             2-4tbsp Bacon bits

Pasta: 12oz bag Egg Noodles (only use half)
            2tsp Salt
           6 cups water

Chicken: 3-4 small breasts
                Garlic salt                     (optional)
                salt
                ground black pepper
                worcestershire sauce (optional)

Bread:  1 loaf italian bread ( or any other.- italian is just my fav. for this recipe.)
             Spreadable margarine/ butter
             garlic salt
             grated parmesan cheese

Directions:


Sauce: In medium sauce pan on med. heat, melt butter/margarine. Add cream cheese & garlic powder.

            Stir with whisk until combined. Mix in milk adding a little at a time. Add parmesan & pepper.
            Cook 5mins, or until desired consistency. (If sauce thickens too much add a little milk to thin it  
            out.) Add bacon bits.

Pasta: In medium pot add water & salt. Bring to boil. Add noodles & cook 10-12mins stirring  
           Occasionally. Drain. Return to pot.   ( If pasta finishes before sauce or chicken, remove from
           heat & keep in water.) - this keeps the pasta warm, because pasta loses heat quickly.)

Chicken:  Cook on stove top on medium-large skillet. Spray pan with cooking spray, place chicken
                  on pan. Season as desired. Cook on med-high heat until done. (180*f) flipping when needed.  (Let soak in cold salt
                  water 5mins prior to cooking for more tender chicken.)

Bread: Cut bread in slices. Spread with butter/margarine. Sprinkle with parmesan & garlic salt as
             desired. Broil in oven 3-5 mins or until butter/margarine & cheese is melted & edges are
             lightly browned.

Bringing it all together: Add pasta to sauce, place on plates or bowls. Cut chicken in strips and
                                         lay on top of pasta. Sprinkle with parmesan if desired.
                                 
*Notes:*
             If you find that your not so skilled at multi-tasking, I suggest getting the pasta going & then
             cooking the chicken until done. Then turning the pan down to LOW heat. (almost off)
             to keep warm. Then start cooking your sauce.