7Strain the cooked bacon, reserving the bacon fat and setting the bacon crumbles aside.
8Strain the cooked bacon, reserving the bacon fat and setting the bacon crumbles aside.
9Strain the cooked bacon, reserving the bacon fat and setting the bacon crumbles aside.
10In the same pot used for bacon, add half of the chopped onion, 2 cups of water, and the chicken leg and thigh quarters.
11In the same pot used for bacon, add half of the chopped onion, 2 cups of water, and the chicken leg and thigh quarters.
12In the same pot used for bacon, add half of the chopped onion, 2 cups of water, and the chicken leg and thigh quarters.
13Simmer the chicken mixture until the meat is falling off the bone, about 10 minutes.
14Simmer the chicken mixture until the meat is falling off the bone, about 10 minutes.
15Simmer the chicken mixture until the meat is falling off the bone, about 10 minutes.
16Pull out the chicken and shred it, leaving the infused water in the pot.
17Pull out the chicken and shred it, leaving the infused water in the pot.
18Pull out the chicken and shred it, leaving the infused water in the pot.
19Add 1 cup of milk to the pot with the onion and chicken-infused water.
20Add 1 cup of milk to the pot with the onion and chicken-infused water.
21Add 1 cup of milk to the pot with the onion and chicken-infused water.
22Add 2 tablespoons of bacon fat to the pot.
23Add 2 tablespoons of bacon fat to the pot.
24Add 2 tablespoons of bacon fat to the pot.
25Add two boxes of Parmesan-style Pasta Roni to the pot, reducing the liquid by at least a cup from the box instructions for a creamier sauce.
26Add two boxes of Parmesan-style Pasta Roni to the pot, reducing the liquid by at least a cup from the box instructions for a creamier sauce.
27Add two boxes of Parmesan-style Pasta Roni to the pot, reducing the liquid by at least a cup from the box instructions for a creamier sauce.
28Cook the pasta for about 4 minutes.
29Cook the pasta for about 4 minutes.
30Cook the pasta for about 4 minutes.
31Halfway through cooking, stir in the shredded chicken and a handful of diced tomatoes for extra brightness.
32Halfway through cooking, stir in the shredded chicken and a handful of diced tomatoes for extra brightness.
33Halfway through cooking, stir in the shredded chicken and a handful of diced tomatoes for extra brightness.
34Once the pasta is done, top with crispy bacon crumbles and extra Parmesan cheese.
35Once the pasta is done, top with crispy bacon crumbles and extra Parmesan cheese.
36Once the pasta is done, top with crispy bacon crumbles and extra Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
1 chicken leg and thigh quarter
1 chicken leg and thigh quarter
1 chicken leg and thigh quarter
1 package bacon
1 package bacon
1 package bacon
0.5 chopped onion
0.5 chopped onion
0.5 chopped onion
2 boxes Parmesan Pasta Roni
2 boxes Parmesan Pasta Roni
2 boxes Parmesan Pasta Roni
1 cup milk
1 cup milk
1 cup milk
2 cups water
2 cups water
2 cups water
2 tbsp bacon fat
2 tbsp bacon fat
2 tbsp bacon fat
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
Parmesan for topping
Parmesan for topping
Parmesan for topping
Equipment
knifecutting boardpotcolandertongs
Tips
Cut back liquid by at least a cup from what the box calls for to make a thicker, creamier sauce for the pasta.
Boxed pasta kits are a favorite shortcut because they are affordable and accessible, especially when factoring in the full upfront cost of ingredients from scratch.