Creamy Garlic Bacon Chicken

🧄 Creamy Garlic Bacon Chicken

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)

• 6 slices bacon, chopped

• 1 tbsp olive oil (if needed)

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream

• ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth

• ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or a mix of oregano, basil, thyme)

• ½ tsp paprika

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Cook the bacon

   • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy.

   • Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside. Leave about 1–2 tbsp of bacon fat in the pan.

2. Sear the chicken

   • Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and paprika.

   • In the same skillet, sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side (until golden brown and nearly cooked through).

   • Remove and set aside on a plate.

3. Make the garlic cream sauce

   • Add minced garlic to the skillet (add a touch of olive oil if needed) and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.

   • Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.

   • Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning.

   • Simmer 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

4. Combine everything

   • Return chicken and bacon to the skillet.

   • Simmer on low heat for 5–7 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is creamy and coats the chicken well.

5. Serve

   • Sprinkle with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.

   • Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta — or with roasted veggies.

🍽️ Tips

• For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or evaporated milk for the heavy cream.

• Add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and color.

• If the sauce gets too thick, whisk in a splash of chicken broth.