Take the all time favorite Caesar Salad flavors and insert them into your pasta and voila, you have Chicken Caesar Angel Hair Pasta! Be sure to let the cheeses melt on top of the covered pasta for a bit, to let the cheese incorporate better without cold c
1/2 t. garlic salt
1/2 t. granulated garlic
1 T. garlic, minced
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. freshly ground black pepper
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1-inch cubes (scallops could be used for a variation)
2 T. extra virgin olive oil
1 c. bacon, cooked, chopped and divided from about 6 bacon slices (or turkey bacon)
3 T. bacon fat, reserved
1/2 onion, roughly minced (about 1 c.)
2 T. fresh thyme, chopped
1/2 c. chicken stock
1/2 c. cream
16 oz. bottled creamy Caesar dressing
16 oz. angel hair pasta
1 c. reserved pasta water
1 lemon, freshly juiced
1/4 c. flat leaf parsley, finely chopped, divided
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese, finely grated, plus more for serving
1/2 c. Manchego cheese, shaved
1 package croutons, crushed
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Mix garlic salt, granulated and minced garlic, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Coat this mixture on chicken.
Cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes; set aside; wipe skillet clean.
Return skillet to burner over medium-high heat; add bacon; fry until crispy, about 5-6 minutes. Drain bacon pieces on a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve about 3 T. bacon fat in skillet. Add onion and thyme; sauté 3 minutes until translucent, but not caramelized.
Pour in chicken stock to deglaze pan; add cream; bring to a boil; reduce by half, about 3 minutes. Stir in Caesar dressing; bring mixture to a slight simmer.
Cook pasta according to package instructions for al dente (slightly undercooked, it will continue to cook in the sauce). Strain pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water. Set aside.
Turn off sauce; add lemon juice, 2/3 of the parsley, cooked chicken and 2/3 of the cooked bacon; stir to combine.
Add pasta to mixture; stir to combine.
Add Parmesan and Mnchego cheeses and pasta water on top of the pasta, DO NOT mix. Cover with a lid; let sit for 2 minutes; stir again to combine all cheeses.
Garnish with remaining parsley, bacon and crushed croutons.
Serve.
6-8 servings.