Description
Creamy balsamic spinach bacon delivers pure comfort straight to your dinner table. Crispy bacon and wilted spinach come together with a silky balsamic sauce that turns simple ingredients into a delightful side dish your family will devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 6 slices bacon
Vegetables:
- 8 oz mushrooms
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 3 cloves garlic
Sauces and Seasonings:
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Render 6 slices of chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer bacon to a paper towel, keeping the rendered fat in the pan.
- Season 4 chicken breasts with ½ tsp Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add 1 tbsp olive oil to skillet if needed.
- Sear chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes per side at medium-high heat until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken and set aside on a clean plate.
- Sauté 8 oz sliced mushrooms in bacon fat for 3-4 minutes until they release their moisture and start to brown.
- Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Toss 3 cups fresh spinach into the skillet, stirring until leaves completely wilt, approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Pour ½ cup chicken broth, 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, and ½ cup heavy cream into the pan. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce slightly thickens.
- Return chicken and reserved bacon to skillet. Spoon sauce over chicken and simmer for 5 minutes to ensure chicken is heated through.
- Plate chicken and generously drizzle remaining creamy balsamic sauce over the top.
Notes
- Choose thick-cut bacon for maximum crispiness and flavor in the dish.
- Pat chicken breasts dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden sear and prevent steaming.
- Use fresh baby spinach for the best texture and vibrant color in your final sauce.
- If watching calories, swap heavy cream for half-and-half or Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg