Transform your weeknight dinner routine with a dish that’s as comforting as it is easy to make… Creamy Skillet Chicken with Sundried Tomatoes & Bacon brings together golden-brown chicken breasts smothered in a rich sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, herbs, cheese, crispy bacon and fresh parsley!
This recipe screams comfort… It’s warm, rich, and hearty, making it perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a meal that feels special without being difficult! Ans it uses just one pan so there’s less to clean up, and it goes great with mashed potatoes! While you brown the chicken and then sauté the vegetables, the bulk of the cooking and sauce making happens in one skillet.
Key Ingredients
The magic of this Creamy Skillet Chicken with Sundried Tomatoes & Bacon lies in a few star players that come together to create an unforgettable meal:
Irresistible Creaminess: Cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and heavy cream creates a truly luxurious and comforting sauce. We love this creamy dish for it’s satisfying texture and rich flavor.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Sun-dried tomatoes pack a concentrated punch of sweet, tangy, and umami flavor that adds so much flavor to the entire dish.
Bacon: Who doesn’t love bacon? The crispy bacon garnish adds a fantastic salty, smoky crunch that perfectly complements this creamy sauce and tender chicken… It’s an addictive contrast in textures and flavors!
My tips & tricks
To make sure your Creamy Skillet Chicken with Sundried Tomatoes & Bacon turns out perfectly every time, keep these helpful insights in mind:
Don’t Crowd the Pan When Browning Chicken: This is crucial to get that beautiful golden-brown sear on your chicken. If you add too many chicken breasts at once, the temperature of the skillet drops, and the chicken steams instead of browning…. So work in batches if necessary, removing the cooked chicken to a plate before starting the next batch. That golden crust adds so much flavor!
The Power of “Fond” (Brown Bits): After you brown the chicken and sauté the vegetables, you’ll notice delicious brown bits stuck to the bottom of your skillet. This is called “fond,” and it’s pure flavor! When you add the soups and broth in the “Combine Ingredients” step, use a wooden spoon to scrape up these bits. They will dissolve into your sauce, adding so much flavor!
Prevent Overcooked Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts can dry out quickly if overcooked. While the recipe provides a simmering time, the best way to guarantee juicy chicken is to use an instant-read meat thermometer. Chicken is safely cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Since it will continue to cook a little after being removed from the heat (carryover cooking), you can aim to pull it off just a degree or two shy of 165°F. (If you are comfortable with that.)
Pounding Chicken for Even Cooking: If yours are very thick, consider lightly pounding them to an even 1-inch thickness before seasoning and browning helps them cook more evenly. Place them between two pieces of plastic wrap and use a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy pan. This helps them cook through at the same rate, so thinner parts don’t dry out while thicker parts finish. 😉
Adjusting Sauce Consistency: If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes at the end to allow it to reduce. If it becomes too thick, a splash more chicken broth or heavy cream will thin it out to your desired consistency.
Seasoning Throughout: Remember to season the chicken with salt and pepper before browning, and taste the sauce before serving to adjust salt and pepper levels as needed. Layering the seasoning ensures maximum flavor in every bite.
Let me know what YOU think!
If you make this recipe, I really want to know what you think! Please leave a review on the recipe card or in the comments!
Creamy Skillet Chicken with Sundried Tomatoes & Bacon
Ingredients
- 6 chicken breasts boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 11 ounces cream of chicken soup 1 – 10.75 ounce can
- 11 ounces cream of mushroom soup 1 – 10.75 ounce can
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano dried
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 Crispy bacon strips crumbled, for garnish
- fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: Add cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and oregano to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Simmer: Return chicken breasts to the skillet. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened.
- Rest: Let your chicken rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and crispy bacon pieces and serve.
Notes
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- Add some spice: Include a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce.
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- Make it creamy: Use 1 cup of heavy cream instead of 1/2 cup.
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- Add veggies: Stir in some frozen peas or chopped spinach during the last few minutes of simmering.
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- Serve with: Enjoy this dish with mashed potatoes, pasta, rice, and salad!
Nutrition
About Juliea
Juliea Huffaker is the creator of Farmhouse Harvest, and dedicated to teaching from-scratch cooking, sourdough baking, gardening, and food preservation. With over 25 years of hands-on experience she has preserved hundreds of jars of produce, mastered the art of meats and sourdough baking, and nurtured a thriving organic garden. Her recipes and articles have been featured across the web. And she’s passionate about inspiring others to embrace a simpler, self-sufficient life style.
