This creamy garlic chicken with bacon and mushrooms is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken thighs, crispy bacon, and sautéed mushrooms in a rich, velvety garlic cream sauce. It’s an easy-to-make recipe perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Serve it with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the indulgent sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s packed with bold, savory flavors from garlic, bacon, and mushrooms.
- The creamy sauce is indulgent and comforting, perfect for cozy dinners.
- It’s versatile—pair it with your favorite side dishes for a complete meal.
- This dish comes together in one pan, making cleanup a breeze.
- It’s perfect for both casual family dinners and entertaining guests.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Chicken thighs (skin-on, bone-in preferred)
- Bacon slices
- Mushrooms (sliced)
- Garlic cloves (minced)
- Heavy cream
- Chicken broth
- Dijon mustard
- Olive oil
- Butter
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Directions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon, crumble it, and set aside.
- Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. In the same skillet, heat olive oil and butter, then sear the chicken on both sides until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Add the mushrooms to the skillet and sauté until golden and softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and Dijon mustard, scraping the bottom of the skillet to deglaze. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Return the chicken to the skillet along with the crumbled bacon. Reduce the heat, cover, and let it cook for 15–20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot with your choice of sides.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Variations
- Protein: Substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts, turkey cutlets, or pork chops.
- Vegetarian: Replace the chicken and bacon with hearty vegetables like cauliflower and zucchini, and use vegetable broth.
- Herbs: Add rosemary or thyme for an earthy flavor.
- Low-Carb: Serve over cauliflower rice or sautéed spinach.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to maintain the sauce’s consistency. Avoid microwaving to preserve the texture.
FAQs
1. Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, chicken breasts work well, but adjust the cooking time to prevent them from drying out.
2. What kind of mushrooms should I use?
Cremini, white button, or baby bella mushrooms are great options for this recipe.
3. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dish and store it in the fridge. Reheat just before serving.
4. Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free if you ensure your Dijon mustard and chicken broth are gluten-free.
5. How can I thicken the sauce if it’s too thin?
Simmer the sauce uncovered for a few extra minutes to thicken it, or stir in a small amount of cornstarch mixed with water.
6. Can I freeze the leftovers?
It’s not recommended to freeze dishes with cream-based sauces, as the texture can become grainy when thawed.
7. What sides go best with this dish?
Mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables are excellent choices.
8. Can I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream?
Yes, but the sauce may be slightly less rich. Add a bit of cornstarch to help thicken it if needed.
9. What’s the best way to ensure crispy chicken skin?
Sear the chicken thighs skin-side down in a hot skillet until golden and crisp before adding them back to the sauce.
10. Can I make this dairy-free?
You can substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream and the butter with a dairy-free alternative, though the flavor will differ slightly.
Conclusion
Creamy garlic chicken with bacon and mushrooms is a delightful dish that’s both comforting and elegant. With its rich flavors and creamy sauce, it’s perfect for impressing guests or treating your family to a hearty meal. Try it today, and it’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe rotation.
Print
Creamy Garlic Chicken with Bacon and Mushrooms
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pan, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American,
Description
Indulge in this creamy chicken thighs recipe with savory bacon, earthy mushrooms, and a luscious garlic cream sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or an elegant dinner party, this one-pan dish combines rich flavors and simplicity.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 4 strips of bacon, chopped
- 2 cups cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken thighs skin-side down until golden and crispy (about 5 minutes). Flip and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Cook the Bacon: In the same skillet, add chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
- Sauté the Mushrooms: Add the sliced mushrooms to the skillet and cook until softened (about 3–4 minutes). Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Make the Sauce: Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Add Dijon mustard and heavy cream, stirring until smooth. Let simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Combine Everything: Return chicken thighs and bacon to the skillet. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and let simmer on low heat for 10–15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve hot over rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a splash of white wine when deglazing the pan.
- Substitute cremini mushrooms with button mushrooms or shiitakes for variety.
- This dish can be made dairy-free by using coconut cream.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *