This Herby Apple Cider Bacon Chicken tastes of fall! Seared seasoned chicken breasts in a thick and luscious, herb apple cider gravy. Those crispy bacon pieces aren’t too shabby either. Serves 4 in about 40 minutes.
I’m not sure I’ve told you guys but Haileigh has a j-o-b. She started a few months ago as a grocery bagger at my favorite specialty market. Since then, H was quickly promoted to cashier. So last week, Mal and I stopped by to pick up a few things and to also surprise Haileigh with a visit. It may sound silly, but I felt this mix of pride, awe and love seeing my daughter working. Like I got choke up. But that’s really not saying much, since I get choked up when Ellen gives someone a car or pays off their bills. But, even Mal was like “Yeah, that’s my sister”.
She was surprised and so happy to see us, so naturally we went to her lane to check out and she did it like a pro. Gah I love that girl. And after her shift she had this amazing dinner to come home to.
Herb apple cider bacon chicken is fall in a pan. The apple cider adds a warm brightness to the dish and it couldn’t be easier to make. I originally made a similar recipe years ago. Since then, I’ve reworked the recipe amping up the flavor by adding fresh herbs and the end result is delicious!
I served this herb apple cider bacon chicken with crispy roasted fingerling potatoes and maple balsamic roasted Brussels sprouts. But mashed potatoes, green beans or a simple spinach salad would be perfection.
To Make This Apple Cider Bacon Chicken You Will Need:
- olive oil
- bacon
- chicken breast halves
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- paprika
- yellow onion
- fresh thyme
- rosemary
- sage
- flour
- chicken broth
- apple cider
Please note, this recipe calls for apple cider and not apple cider vinegar. These two things are NOT the same and while it may seem obvious to most, these two ingredients often get mixed up in recipes. You can usually find apple cider in the refrigerated juice aisle or near the produce section of your local grocery store. OR if you’re lucky enough, get it locally by visiting a cider mill.
First add a teaspoon of light olive oil to a 12-inch skillet that has deep sides. Then add in the diced bacon and cook until crispy. I’m using 2 strips of extra-thick smoked bacon. Once diced, it was about a cup. With that said, you may need to use 2 to 4 strips depending on its thickness.
Once the bacon is fully cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel lined plate to drain.
Meanwhile, season one side of the chicken breast halves with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper and paprika. Increase the heat under the pan to medium-high. Then place the chicken (season side down) and season the second side with salt, pepper and paprika.
Cook the chicken for 6 to 7 minutes or until the side touching the pan is deeply golden brown. Turn the chicken over and continue to cook for 4 to 5 more minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.
Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
Next, reduce the heat back to medium-low and add in 1 cup of diced yellow onion with a pinch of kosher salt. Stir to scrape the browned bits off of the bottom of the pan and continue to cook until soft and translucent. About 6 minutes or so.
Then add in 1 teaspoon of each chopped fresh sage and thyme leaves with 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary. Because rosemary can be strong in this recipe, I use a smaller amount.
Stir and cook for 1 minute.
Next, add in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Stir and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
Smells heavenly!
Then pour in 1 cup chicken broth with 1 cup apple cider (NOT VINEGAR) and bring to a simmer.
Once the gravy is simmering, reduce the heat to low. Tasted and season the gravy before adding the chicken (and any juices that have accumulated on the plate) back to the skillet. Simmer on low heat until the chicken has warmed throughout and the gravy has thickened. The chicken should still be warm so this should take long.
Spoon the herb apple cider gravy over the chicken and top with minced fresh parsley and the crispy bacon pieces.
Prepare to fall in love.
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Enjoy! And if you give this Herby Apple Cider Bacon Chicken recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!
Herby Apple Cider Bacon Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 strips bacon, diced
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, about 1½ pounds (227 grams) total weight
- 1 pinch kosher salt, more or less to taste
- 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper, more or less to taste
- 3/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon thyme leaves, chopped fresh
- 1 teaspoon sage leaves, chopped fresh
- 1/2 teaspoon rosemary, chopped fresh
- 2 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1¼ cup apple cider, NOT vinegar
Instructions
- To a large, deep-sided skillet add a teaspoon of olive oil and the diced bacon. Heat on medium-low, stir and cook the bacon until crispy. About 8 to 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the crisp bacon pieces to a paper towel lined plate.
- Meanwhile, increase the heat under the pan to medium-high. Season one side of the chicken with salt, pepper and paprika. Place the chicken (season side down) into the pan and season the second side. Cook the chickens 6 to 7 minutes or until golden brown and the chicken releases from the pan easily. Continue to cook the chicken for an additional 4 to 5 more minutes or until fully cooked. Transfer the chicken to a clean plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. In the same skillet, add the diced onion with a pinch of salt. Stir and cook until the onions are soft and translucent. About 6 minutes. Next add in the thyme, sage and rosemary. Stir and cook for about a minute.
- Sprinkle in the flour and stir until absorbed into the fat. Cook the flour for 1 to 2 minutes. Continue to stir while slowly pouring in the apple cider and chicken broth.
- Taste and season the gravy with kosher salt (to your preferred taste) before adding the chicken back in. Also add in any juices that have accumulated on the plate. Simmer until the gravy is thick and the chicken is heated throughout.
- Spoon the thickened cider gravy over top of the chicken and sprinkle the crispy bacon pieces and chopped fresh parsley over top.
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THANK YOU in advance for your support!
Looks so good! And go Haileigh! ♥️
Thank you! Oh and then after work she surprised me with a beautiful mum ❤️ SO thoughtful!
What a perfect recipe for this rainy chilly Michigan Monday. Guess what we’re haveing for dinner tonight!
Enjoy!
I am really excited to try this recipe as it’s an option on a catering menu we are considering for our destination wedding next October. We wanted options that were going to be seasonal and it’s hard to decide on something when you can only read a menu and not do a tasting ahead of time. You’ve just solved my dilemma, thank you!
I’m glad! Enjoy, Sabina!
I was excited to try this. Trying to step up my game for my family. My chicken is tough. what did I do wrong ?
Hi Sigrid! Sorry to hear that, my guess is they were over cooked. It happens to the best of us!
This was so delicious. Would it work to do a make ahead for Thanksgiving?
Hi! Unfortunately no, it would not.
This has become one of my family‘s most favorite dishes. Thank you! It definitely is the epitome of Fall on a plate. I am planning to make this for Thanksgiving…I think it would be perfect. How would you suggest to make it ahead of time or can I?