Linguine Chicken & Bacon Pasta

My husband loves chicken piccata, he loves pasta and he loves bacon so that gave me the idea to basically combine all of it into one dish. This was enough to feed him two different dinners.

Ingredients:

½ pound Linguine noodles (half of a box)

2 large chicken breasts cut in half lengthwise

1 tablespoon capers

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh garlic

1-2 tablespoons crispy finely chopped cooked bacon

1 tablespoon + Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Garlic salt, regular salt, and pepper to taste

1 Lemon for the juice

Optional: Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Slice up chicken into halves lengthwise creating 5-6 pieces and pound the pieces flat with a mallet

Squeeze half a lemon all over both sides of the chicken breasts

Sprinkle a tad bit of garlic salt and pepper on both sides of the chicken breasts

In a large pan spray it with cooking spray and lay the chicken breasts in the pan with flame on medium-high heat. Lightly drizzle a little olive oil over the chicken breasts. Grill each side of chicken for 5-6 minutes or until both sides are crispy in the pan

In a small pan, on low heat, cook the chopped garlic, already cooked bacon, and capers in a tablespoon of olive oil

In a medium sauce pan, fill it ¾ full of water and a splash of salt, bring the water to a boil and then set your noodles in the pan standing up. After a minute the side of the noodles in the water should start to soften. Flip the noodles over with your hand or use tongs so that the dry side is in the water now. Within a couple minutes you should have all the noodles submerged in the water. Cook for roughly 10 minutes or until al dente. Tasting the noodles as they start to soften so you don’t overcook them.

Drain the water and add the small pan of olive oil, bacon, garlic, and capers to the noodles and stir to combine. You can add a sprinkle of salt as well as a little more olive oil if you desire.

Once the chicken is browned on both sides you are ready to plate your meals

On a plate, scoop ½ the amount of noodles onto your plate and top it with 1-2 small chicken breasts. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top. If you want it a little spicy, you can also sprinkle some red pepper flakes.

Serve with garlic bread or a small salad, or both. Of course a glass of Landmark Overlook Chardonnay would be a perfect touch next to this dish.