Creamy Balsamic Spinach Bacon Mushroom Chicken
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
530 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Creamy Balsamic Spinach Bacon Mushroom Chicken
Description
The Creamy Balsamic Spinach Bacon Mushroom Chicken starts by crisping small bacon pieces, which are removed leaving some rendered fat in the pan. Chicken breasts, halved lengthwise, are seasoned and floured for a light crust and cooked until golden brown. Mushrooms are sautéed in a splash of olive oil until their moisture evaporates and they gain color, then set aside.
The pan is deglazed with chicken broth and balsamic vinegar to capture browned bits, then heavy cream is added to form a luscious, thick sauce. Fresh baby spinach is stirred in until it wilts gently. The sauce melds tangy balsamic acidity with creamy richness and the umami depth of mushrooms and bacon. The chicken returns to the pan to warm fully and absorb flavors.
This chicken dish is suited for a hearty main course, ideal served with simple sides such as rice, potatoes, or crusty bread to add texture and soak up the sauce. The sauce’s balance of tangy, creamy, and savory elements comes primarily from the interplay of balsamic vinegar, heavy cream, bacon, and mushrooms.
Use heavy cream as substituting milk or half-and-half can cause the sauce to curdle.The sauce incorporates bacon fat and chicken broth for depth but adjust saltiness to taste.Season chicken with salt if needed, but bacon and broth usually provide enough flavor.
Ingredients
- 6 trips Bacon cut into small pieces
- 2 large chicken breast cut in half lengthwise
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- black pepper to taste
- flour for dredging
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms sliced
- 1/3 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup heavy cream aka whipping cream
- 2 cups baby spinach loosely packed, fresh
Instructions
- Cut the bacon into small pieces (I do this with kitchen shears). Fry it over medium-high heat in a deep skillet until crispy. Take it out of the pan and set it aside on a plate. Leave about 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat in the pan.
- Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise so you have 4 thinner pieces. Sprinkle them with the garlic powder and pepper and coat them in flour on all sides.
- Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes/side until golden and take it out of the pan (ok to put it on the same plate as the bacon).
- The pan will likely be quite dry, so add a splash of olive oil (about a tablespoon) prior to adding the mushrooms. Cook the mushrooms until the water has cooked out and they get a nice sear (about 6-8 minutes). You may need to turn down the heat a bit if the pan becomes too hot/smoking.
- Take the mushrooms out of the pan (adding them to the same plate as the chicken and bacon is fine).
- Stir in the chicken broth and balsamic vinegar, and scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it bubble until the liquid reduces by half (about 2 minutes or so).
- Stir in the cream, and then add the chicken, bacon, and mushrooms back to the pan. Cook it for 5 minutes or so until the sauce thickens and the chicken cooks through.
- Stir in the spinach (I lift the chicken up with tongs and tuck it underneath to make it easy!) and cook for another minute or two until it's wilted. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Do not substitute heavy cream with milk or half-and-half to avoid curdling and thinning of sauce.
- Salt level may be sufficient from bacon and chicken broth; season chicken lightly if desired.
- Retain some bacon fat in pan to enrich sauce flavor.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 530 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 530kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 7g | 2% |
| Protein | 31g | 62% |
| Fat | 42g | 65% |
| Saturated Fat | 19g | 95% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 176mg | 59% |
| Sodium | 460mg | 19% |
| Potassium | 861mg | 18% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 2328IU | 47% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 73mg | 7% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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