You know that kind of recipe you make once and then never forget? Exactly. Chicken in bacon sauce is just like that: simple to prepare, full of flavor, and with a creamy touch that wins everyone over.
The best part? It’s quick, uses few ingredients, and still leaves the house with that irresistible aroma of frying bacon. Who can resist?
You’ll learn the complete step-by-step for chicken in bacon sauce, the best pairings, kitchen tricks, variations to go beyond the basics, and even answers to the most common questions. Apron on—shall we start?
Index – Straight to the Point
Chicken in Bacon Sauce Recipe
Ingredients:
To make chicken in bacon sauce worthy of a Sunday repeat, you’ll need:
✦ 1 kg (2.2 lb) chicken breast, cubed
✦ 200 g (7 oz) bacon, chopped
✦ 1 medium onion, finely chopped
✦ 3 garlic cloves
✦ 2 tablespoons cream cheese
✦ 1 small carton of heavy cream
✦ 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
✦ Salt and black pepper to taste
✦ Grated cheese (coalho, mozzarella, or parmesan)
✦ Chopped parsley/green onion
No need to complicate it. Together, these ingredients deliver everything: flavor, texture, and that sauce you’ll want to mop up with bread.
How to make it:
Now for the best part: cooking chicken in bacon sauce. It’s quick, practical, and foolproof.
- Fry the bacon until golden
Place the bacon in a hot pan (no oil!) and let it render its fat until crisp. The aroma will liven up the whole kitchen. - Set the bacon aside and sauté the chicken in the same pan
Make the most of that flavorful fat and sauté onion and garlic. Then add the chicken seasoned with salt and smoked paprika. Brown it well—this is where the flavor comes from. - Make the creamiest sauce of your life
In a blender, add the fried bacon, cream cheese, and heavy cream. Blend until you get a smooth, luscious cream. - Combine everything and let the flavor develop
Pour the cream over the chicken and stir well. Cook for a few minutes until the sauce thickens and that delicious aroma blooms. - Finish with cheese and herbs
Sprinkle grated cheese on top and cover for a minute to melt. Finish with chopped herbs for a fresh touch. - Serve it right
Chicken in bacon sauce is perfect with white rice and crispy shoestring potatoes. Want to impress? Add mashed potatoes or pasta.
Golden tips to make the dish perfect
✦ Don’t overdo the salt: the bacon does the heavy lifting here.
✦ Brown the chicken well: no pale meat! Golden color equals flavor.
✦ Lighter sauce? Swap part of the cream cheese for ricotta cream.
✦ Thicker sauce? Stir in a spoon of cornstarch dissolved in milk.
✦ Want a special touch? Use artisanal smoked bacon—the flavor jumps a level.
These simple tricks guarantee chicken in bacon sauce worthy of compliments and seconds.
Mistakes that can ruin the result (and how to avoid them)
✦ Bacon raw in the sauce? No way! Fry it first to release flavor.
✦ Curdled sauce? Never add the cream over high heat.
✦ Unbrowned chicken? Flavor comes from color—don’t skip it.
✦ Too salty? Bacon is already salty, so go easy.
With these precautions, your chicken in bacon sauce will come out perfect every time.
The secret to chicken in bacon sauce
First things first: the secret to chicken in bacon sauce is the balance between the sauce’s creaminess and the bacon’s smoky flavor. No excesses! The idea is for every bite to be perfect—with salt just right, well-seasoned chicken, and a truly creamy sauce.
The magic begins when the bacon renders its natural fat (the famous “holy oil of the kitchen”). That’s what we use to sauté the onion and garlic, capturing the smoky flavor and building the base of the dish.
Then the chicken takes the stage, browning nicely until juicy. And the finishing touch? A sauce made with cream cheese, heavy cream, and the bacon blended right in. That’s right—bacon in the blender! It tastes unreal.
Variations you need to try
One of the best parts of this recipe is how well it takes on variations depending on your mood (or what’s left in the fridge 😅).
👉 Chicken in bacon sauce with mushrooms
Want to make it a bit more sophisticated? Add mushrooms to the sauté. They pair beautifully with bacon and a creamy sauce.
👉 Chicken in bacon sauce au gratin
Transfer everything to a baking dish, top with cheese, and bake until golden. The result? A crunchy top that melts hearts.
👉 Chicken in bacon sauce with a spicy kick
Add a pinch of pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce at the end. It gets slightly spicy and even more flavorful.
👉 Chicken in bacon sauce with vegetables
Want a more colorful version? Fold in broccoli, peas, or carrots at the end of cooking. The contrast of colors and textures looks gorgeous and tastes great.
Side dishes that pair perfectly
Follow your heart here. Chicken in bacon sauce goes with practically everything, but some sides are real winners:
✦ White rice: the classic that never fails.
✦ Mashed potatoes: creamy meets creamy—guaranteed success.
✦ Short pasta (penne, fusilli): turns the dish into a “gourmet pasta.”
✦ Shoestring potatoes: crunch and flavor in every bite.
✦ Sautéed vegetables: help balance the sauce’s bold flavor.
How to store and repurpose without losing flavor
Made a lot (or have a little leftover)? Good news: chicken in bacon sauce keeps super well!
✦ In the fridge: up to 3 days in a tightly sealed container.
✦ In the freezer: up to 30 days, with texture intact.
✦ To reheat: a splash of milk brings the creaminess right back.
And if you want to repurpose it, use it as:
✦ Filling for pies and pot pies
✦ Sauce for crêpes
✦ Base for a creamy lasagna
✦ A hot sandwich with melted cheese
It’s a versatile dish that rescues any weeknight meal.
FAQ – Most common questions
1. Can I use another cut of chicken?
Absolutely! Boneless thigh gets even juicier.
2. Can I make it without heavy cream?
You can! Swap for whole milk with a spoon of cornstarch or use ricotta cream.
3. Is it good au gratin?
It’s wonderful! Just bake with cheese on top until golden.
4. Can I make it ahead?
Yes, even better—the flavor deepens as it rests.
5. Which cheese should I finish with?
Mozzarella, parmesan, or coalho—any works, it’s up to your taste.
6. Can I freeze it?
Yes, you should! Then reheat gently so the sauce doesn’t split.
Conclusion: chicken in bacon sauce that will become tradition
Chicken in bacon sauce is the kind of recipe you make once and it becomes a house staple. It’s easy, fast, and has that “made-with-love” taste that charms everyone.
From the first sizzle of bacon to the last piece of creamy chicken, this dish is pure joy in food form. And the best part: you can adapt it, amp it up, and serve it a thousand different ways.
So next time you want to impress without complicating things, remember this recipe. Make chicken in bacon sauce, call the family, and savor the moment—because good food is all about flavor, laughter, and affection at the table.
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I hope you enjoyed it.