One-pan creamy chicken and bacon
Enjoy a rich and easy one-pan creamy chicken and bacon dish that combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a luscious creamy sauce cooked all in one skillet. This quick and flavorful meal is perfect for busy weeknights, offering comforting flavors with minimal cleanup and plenty of versatility to customize to your taste.
- Author: Emily
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-pan stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 bacon strips
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
- Prepare the chicken and bacon: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook the bacon strips in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and place on paper towels to drain, leaving the bacon fat in the pan for flavor.
- Brown the chicken: Add olive oil to the skillet if needed. Sear the chicken breasts on both sides until golden brown but not fully cooked, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté garlic and deglaze: In the same pan, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits to capture deep flavor.
- Make the creamy sauce: Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Simmer gently until the sauce thickens slightly, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
- Combine and simmer: Return the chicken and bacon to the pan, nestling them into the sauce. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce is thick and creamy.
- Garnish and serve: Finish with fresh chopped basil or parsley. Serve hot directly from the pan for a cozy and effortless meal.
Notes
- Choose quality bacon for better flavor and rendered fat.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook chicken in batches if necessary for perfect browning.
- Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and juiciness.
- Simmer the sauce gently to avoid curdling the cream.
- Let the sauce rest for a minute after cooking to thicken naturally.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg
Keywords: one-pan, creamy chicken, bacon, quick dinner, easy recipe, comfort food, gluten free