Buon Appetito Bacon Chicken over Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Spaghetti

Step 1

• Adjust rack to top position and preheat oven to 425 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry all produce. • Finely chop sun-dried tomatoes. Peel and mince or grate garlic. Halve grape tomatoes lengthwise. Pick parsley leaves from stems; finely chop leaves. Thinly slice chives. • In a small bowl, combine panko, half the Parmesan (save the rest for serving), 1 tsp Tuscan Heat Spice (2 tsp for 4 servings), and a large drizzle of olive oil. (You’ll use more Tuscan Heat Spice later.) Season with salt and pepper.

Step 2

• Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Add bacon* and cook, turning occasionally and adjusting heat if browning too quickly, until crispy, 6-10 minutes. • Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Turn off heat. Discard all but 1 tsp bacon fat (you’ll use it to make the sauce in step 5). • Once bacon is cool enough to handle, roughly chop.

Step 3

• While bacon cooks, pat chicken* dry with paper towels and season all over with 1 tsp Tuscan Heat Spice (2 tsp for 4 servings), salt, and pepper. (Be sure to measure the Tuscan Heat Spice.) Place chicken on a baking sheet. • Evenly spread sour cream onto top of each cutlet. Mound coated sides with panko mixture, pressing to adhere (no need to coat the undersides). • Roast on top rack until crust is golden brown and chicken is cooked through, 15-18 minutes.

Step 4

• Once water is boiling, add spaghetti to pot. Cook until al dente, 9-11 minutes. • Reserve ½ cup pasta cooking water, then drain.

Step 5

• Meanwhile, return pan with reserved bacon fat to medium heat with 1 TBSP butter. Add sun-dried tomatoes and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. • Stir in cream cheese and 1⁄3 cup plain water (½ cup for 4 servings). Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until slightly reduced, 1-2 minutes.

Step 6

• Stir grape tomatoes into pan with sauce. Add drained spaghetti and 1 TBSP butter (2 TBSP for 4 servings); toss to combine. (TIP: If needed, stir in reserved pasta cooking water a splash at a time until pasta is coated in a creamy sauce.) Stir in half the chopped parsley and chives; season with salt and pepper. • Divide pasta between plates or shallow bowls. Top with chicken. (TIP: Slice chicken crosswise first if desired.) Sprinkle with bacon, remaining Parmesan, and remaining chopped parsley and chives. Serve.