Chicken Bacon And Caramelized Onion Pasta Bake Cooking For 2 Recipes

CHICKEN, BACON AND CARAMELIZED ONION PASTA BAKE (COOKING FOR 2)

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F. In 7-inch cast-iron skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are browned. Remove from heat.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on package to al dente; drain.
• In 2-quart saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add flour; cook and stir 1 minute. Beat in milk, salt and pepper with whisk; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook and stir 1 to 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat; beat in Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses. Add cooked pasta, chicken, bacon and browned onions; gently stir to combine. Transfer to same 7-inch cast-iron skillet.
• In small bowl, mix bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon melted butter. Sprinkle over top of pasta mixture. Bake 14 to 17 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.

CHICKEN WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND BACON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Heat Oil in pan. Sprinkle spices on both sides of each chicken breast. Add chicken breasts to hot oil and turn to medium high heat. Brown on both sides until golden (approx 4-5 minutes).
• Add 1 tablespoon bacon drippings, diced onion and brown sugar. Stir well then turn heat down to medium and cover. Cook for 20 minutes stirring occasionally. Turn chicken over and cook an additional 15-20 minutes or until chicken is completely done (when juices run clear).
• Move chicken to a baking dish and pour caramelized onions and brown sugar sauce over chicken. Drain excess grease. Cover and put off to the side. Using same pan you just cooked the chicken in fry diced bacon until crisp. Sprinkle over chicken. Top with cheese (1 slice per chicken breast) and place in oven. Bake until cheese is completely melted (approx 1-2 minute depending on how thick you get your cheese. I get mine sliced very thin). Remove from pan and place on plate making sure to place any fallen bacon pieces back on chicken before serving.