Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken with Crispy Bacon

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder on both sides.

Step 2: Cook the Bacon

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet, crumble it, and set aside. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet for added flavor.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken

1. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the olive oil and butter to the skillet with the bacon grease. Once melted and hot, add the seasoned chicken breasts.
2. Cook for 6–7 minutes per side , or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C ).
3. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.

Step 4: Make the Creamy Sauce

1. Lower the heat to medium. Add the heavy cream, honey, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar (if using) to the skillet. Stir well to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan for extra flavor.
2. Let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes , stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.

Step 5: Combine Chicken and Sauce

1. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them. Let them simmer in the sauce for another 2–3 minutes to absorb the flavors.

Step 6: Add Bacon

1. Stir in most of the crumbled bacon, reserving a small amount for garnishing later. Mix well to combine the bacon with the sauce.

Step 7: Serve

1. Transfer the chicken to serving plates, drizzle with extra sauce, and garnish with the reserved crumbled bacon and fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color.
2. Serve warm with your choice of sides, such as mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables.