Imagine a dish that combines the crispy perfection of bacon, tender chicken, and a luxuriously creamy sauce, all nestled beneath a golden, flaky puff pastry crust. This isn't just another chicken recipe – it's a culinary experience that will transform your dinner table into a gourmet restaurant. Whether you're looking to impress dinner guests or treat yourself to a decadent meal, this Creamy Chicken and Bacon with Herbed Puff Pastry is about to become your new obsession.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 sheet puff pastry
- 1 tsp dried herbs (thyme, rosemary)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Season diced chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and dried herbs. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- In the same skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove and crumble bacon, leaving a small amount of bacon fat in the pan.
- Reduce heat to medium and pour heavy cream into the skillet. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add cooked chicken back to the cream sauce and stir to coat. Mix in crumbled bacon and remove from heat.
- Thaw puff pastry sheet according to package instructions. Roll out slightly on a floured surface.
- Transfer the chicken and bacon cream mixture to a baking dish. Cover with the puff pastry, trimming edges and creating a few small slits for steam to escape.
- Brush puff pastry with beaten egg (optional, for golden color) and sprinkle with additional dried herbs.
- Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until pastry is puffed and golden brown.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow sauce to set and pastry to cool slightly.
Tips
- Chicken Cooking Tip: Ensure your chicken is cut into uniform dice to guarantee even cooking and a consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Bacon Brilliance: Cook bacon until it's perfectly crisp but not burnt. The bacon fat left in the pan adds incredible depth of flavor to the cream sauce.
- Pastry Perfection: If your puff pastry isn't thawing quickly enough, let it sit at room temperature for about 30-40 minutes before preparing the dish.
- Herb Enhancement: For an extra flavor boost, consider using fresh herbs instead of dried. Finely chopped fresh thyme or rosemary can elevate the entire dish.
- Golden Crust Secret: The egg wash is optional but highly recommended. It creates that stunning golden-brown finish that makes the dish look professionally prepared.
- Resting is Crucial: Those 5 minutes of resting after baking aren't just a suggestion – they allow the sauce to set and prevent burning your mouth on the hot filling.
- Make-Ahead Magic: You can prepare the chicken and bacon mixture ahead of time and refrigerate. Just reheat slightly before topping with the puff pastry and baking.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 480kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Cholesterol: 130mg
