Elevate your weeknight dinner with this irresistible Chicken with Apple, Cranberry, and Bacon recipe—a savory-sweet masterpiece that combines tender seared chicken breasts with caramelized honeycrisp apples, tart dried cranberries, and crispy bacon for a flavor-packed dish the whole family will love. The creamy sauce, infused with garlic, fresh rosemary, and thyme, binds the ingredients together into a luxurious one-skillet meal that’s as comforting as it is elegant. Ready in just 45 minutes, this dish strikes an ideal balance between ease and sophistication, making it perfect for a cozy dinner or an impressive holiday entrée. Serve it with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables for a well-rounded, restaurant-quality meal that’s sure to impress! Keywords: chicken with apple cranberry and bacon recipe, one-skillet chicken dinner, savory-sweet chicken dish.
Season the chicken breasts on both sides with the salt and black pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the bacon slices and cook until crisp. Remove bacon and place on paper towels to drain. Crumble once cool.
Drain excess bacon fat, keeping about 1 tablespoon in the skillet. Add the unsalted butter and garlic, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add the diced apple to the skillet and sauté for 3-5 minutes until lightly caramelized.
Stir in the dried cranberries, chicken stock, heavy cream, rosemary, and thyme. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, along with any accumulated juices. Scatter the crumbled bacon over the top.
Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
Serve the chicken hot, garnished with additional thyme or rosemary if desired, and spoon the sauce over the top. Pair with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
Calories |
2890 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 137.4 g | 176% | |
| Saturated Fat | 54.9 g | 274% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 823 mg | 274% | |
| Sodium | 3896 mg | 169% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 140.7 g | 51% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.4 g | 55% | |
| Total Sugars | 119.3 g | ||
| Protein | 244.3 g | 489% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 142 mg | 11% | |
| Iron | 8.3 mg | 46% | |
| Potassium | 614 mg | 13% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.