Chicken with Mustard Sauce and Turkey Bacon

6

A creamy mustard sauce paired with crispy turkey bacon turns simple chicken breasts into an elegant, restaurant-style meal. This one-pan recipe is ready in about 35 minutes and pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, egg noodles, or roasted vegetables.

Prep Time

• Prep: 10 minutes
• Cook: 25 minutes
• Total: 35 minutes
• Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 6 chicken thighs)
• 8 slices turkey bacon, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 small shallot or onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard (optional)
• 1 teaspoon honey (optional, balances the mustard)
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Cook the Turkey Bacon

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
• Cook turkey bacon until browned and crisp, about 5–7 minutes.
• Remove to a plate, leaving about 1 tablespoon of the drippings in the pan.

2. Cook the Chicken

• Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika.
• Add olive oil and butter to the skillet.
• Sear chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until golden.
• Remove and keep warm.

3. Make the Sauce

• Add shallot and cook for 2–3 minutes.
• Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
• Pour in chicken broth, scraping up the browned bits.
• Simmer for 3–4 minutes.

4. Finish the Sauce

• Stir in:
  • Heavy cream
  • Dijon mustard
  • Whole-grain mustard
  • Honey (if using)
  • Thyme
• Simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.

5. Combine

• Return chicken and turkey bacon to the skillet.
• Spoon the sauce over the chicken.
• Simmer gently for 5–7 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
• Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with:

• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Buttered egg noodles
• Steamed rice
• Roasted baby potatoes
• Green beans
• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Crusty bread for soaking up the sauce

Tips

• Chicken thighs stay especially juicy in this recipe.
• For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
• Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra flavor and nutrition.
• If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in a splash of chicken broth.

Nutrition (Approximate, per serving)

• Calories: 510
• Protein: 42 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fat: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: 3 g

This dish is rich, savory, and tangy, with crispy turkey bacon adding a smoky crunch that perfectly complements the creamy Dijon mustard sauce.