Description
This creamy bacon mushroom chicken skillet is the ultimate one-pan comfort food. Juicy chicken breasts are seared to golden perfection, then simmered in a rich, savory cream sauce with crispy bacon, earthy mushrooms, and aromatic garlic. The result is a restaurant-quality dinner that comes together in under 40 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekend meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs), pounded to even thickness
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6–8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan.
- Season chicken breasts with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Increase heat to medium-high. Add chicken to skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add mushrooms to the same skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and golden, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in heavy cream, remaining salt and pepper, and dried thyme. Let simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Return chicken to skillet, spooning sauce over each piece. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Let cook for 2–3 minutes until cheese is melted and chicken is heated through.
- Serve immediately, garnished with crispy bacon and fresh parsley.
Notes
For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but the sauce will be thinner. To ensure chicken stays juicy, don’t overcook; use an instant-read thermometer to reach 165°F. This dish pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
Nutrition
- Calories: 624 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Fat: 42 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Protein: 48 g