Imagine a dinner that combines the perfect balance of savory and sweet, crispy and tender, all prepared with minimal cleanup - welcome to the most mouthwatering sheet pan chicken recipe you'll ever encounter! This Rosemary Balsamic Sheet Pan Chicken with Bacon and Apples is about to revolutionize your weeknight cooking, delivering restaurant-quality flavor with home-kitchen simplicity.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 4 slices of bacon
- 2 apples, sliced
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature will help to crisp the bacon and cook the chicken evenly.
- While the oven is preheating, prepare the ingredients. Slice the apples into thin wedges, ensuring to remove the core and seeds. Chop the fresh rosemary finely.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the balsamic vinegar, chopped rosemary, salt, and pepper. Whisk the mixture together until well combined.
- Add the chicken breasts to the bowl and coat them thoroughly with the balsamic mixture. Let them marinate for about 5 minutes while you prepare the bacon and sheet pan.
- On a large sheet pan, lay out the bacon slices in a single layer. The bacon will render its fat, which will help flavor the chicken and apples.
- Once the chicken has marinated, place the coated chicken breasts on the sheet pan alongside the bacon. Make sure to leave some space between each piece for even cooking.
- Arrange the sliced apples around the chicken and bacon on the sheet pan. Drizzle any remaining balsamic mixture over the apples for added flavor.
- Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). The bacon should be crispy and the apples tender.
- Once cooked, remove the sheet pan from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute in the chicken.
- Serve the rosemary balsamic sheet pan chicken with the crispy bacon and roasted apples on the side. Enjoy your delicious and flavorful meal!
Tips
- Temperature is Key: Always preheat your oven to ensure even cooking and that perfect crispy bacon texture.
- Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Let your chicken sit in the balsamic-rosemary mixture for at least 5 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Bacon Placement Matters: Spread bacon slices in a single layer to help them crisp evenly and infuse flavor into the entire dish.
- Check Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) for safe and juicy results.
- Resting is Crucial: Allow the dish to rest for a few minutes after cooking to let juices redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness.
- Choose Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh rosemary and crisp apples for the most vibrant flavor profile.Pro Tip: For extra caramelization, you can broil the dish for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 349kcal
Carbohydrates: 17g
Protein: 51g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 190mg
