Chicken Bacon Alfredo

(picture from Ourbestbites.com)

This is from Our Best Bites.  Original recipe here.  This pasta reminded me of Firehouse's Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta.  It's pretty heavy, even though the Alfredo is called "guiltless".  Regardless, it's delicious.  Rachel loved it.

Guiltless Alfredo Sauce

Ingredients:
2 C low-fat milk
1/3 C (3 oz) low fat cream cheese
2-3 T flour
1 t salt
1 T butter (I probably only used a t.)
3 garlic cloves (Honestly, this is overpowering, and this is coming from a garlic lover.  I would cut this to 2 cloves)
1 C grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

Place milk, cream cheese, flour, and salt in a blender and blend until smooth.  (I used my food processor) In a non-stick sauce pan, melt butter on med-high heat and add garlic. Let the garlic saute for about 30 seconds, you don’t want to burn it.

Then add milk mixture to the pan. Stir constantly for about 3 or 4 minutes or until it just comes to a simmer. Keep stirring and let it cook for a few minutes more. It should be much thicker now.

When it’s nice and thickened remove the pan from the heat. Add the cheese, stir it up and then cover immediately. Let stand for at least 10 minutes before using. It will continue to thicken upon standing. Season with additional salt if needed.  Also, if you have leftovers in the fridge, the sauce will thicken almost into a solid. Just re-heat and add a little milk and it will be back to normal again.

Pasta Dish

8 oz. penne or bowtie pasta

1 recipe Guiltless Alfredo Sauce (1 16-oz. jar would work in a pinch)

2 chicken breasts, grilled and chopped (about 2 c. chopped chicken)

(I cooked the chicken in olive oil and a bit of garlic in my frying pan.  Too cold outside to grill)

6 oz. (1/2 package) cooked bacon, chopped

(If you haven't discovered Hormel picnic bacon from Sam's Club, you must)

1 14-oz. jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1/2 c. chopped green onions (about 1 decent-sized bunch)

I omitted this.  Green onions are just nasty.  

1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

Salt and pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 350.

Prepare pasta according to package directions.

While pasta is cooking, prepare Guiltless Alfredo sauce. When pasta is done, drain and add to the sauce. Toss with chopped chicken, bacon, artichoke hearts, green onions, and 1/2 c. mozzarella. Season to taste.

Transfer mixture to an 8×8″ baking dish . Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until heated through and cheese is bubbly.