This easy cream cheese chicken recipe transforms basic poultry into a gourmet, one-pan masterpiece that satisfies the whole family with its rich and velvety garlic sauce. Featuring crispy beef bacon and aromatic seasonings, it is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights when you need a high-quality meal without the stress.
Easy Creamy Garlic & Beef Bacon Chicken
10 MIN
20 MIN
4 PERS
Ingredients
- 1 1.5 lbs chicken breasts (thinly sliced)
- 2 6 slices beef bacon (chopped)
- 3 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 4 1 cup chicken broth
- 5 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 6 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 7 1 tbsp olive oil
- 8 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 9 Salt, pepper, and paprika to taste
Instructions
- 1 Cook chopped beef bacon in a skillet until crispy, then remove and save drippings.
- 2 Season chicken and sear in the skillet with drippings, butter, and olive oil until golden.
- 3 Sauté minced garlic in the same pan for one minute until fragrant.
- 4 Deglaze the pan with chicken broth and whisk in softened cream cheese until smooth.
- 5 Return chicken and beef bacon to the pan and simmer for 3 minutes to thicken.
- 6 Garnish with parsley and serve over your favorite side dish.
Why You Will Crave This Easy Cream Cheese Chicken Recipe
Finding the perfect balance between convenience and flavor is the holy grail of home cooking. This easy cream cheese chicken recipe achieves exactly that by utilizing simple pantry staples and elevating them through proper technique. The secret lies in the combination of rendered beef fat from the bacon and the velvety texture of the cream cheese, which creates a sauce so rich it rivals high-end restaurant offerings. When you follow an easy cream cheese chicken recipe like this one, you are not just making dinner, you are crafting an experience. The smoky notes of the beef bacon provide a complex undertone that complements the sharpness of the garlic and the mildness of the chicken, making every bite a multi-layered delight.
Moreover, this easy cream cheese chicken recipe is incredibly versatile. Whether you are hosting a small dinner party or just trying to get a nutritious meal on the table before soccer practice, this dish fits the bill. By replacing traditional wine with chicken broth, we maintain a depth of flavor that is accessible to everyone while adhering to specific dietary preferences. This easy cream cheese chicken recipe is a testament to the fact that you do not need a long list of ingredients to create something spectacular. With just a few high-quality components, you can master a dish that will quickly become a permanent fixture in your weekly rotation.
The Essential Tools for Success
To truly excel at this easy cream cheese chicken recipe, having the right equipment in your kitchen is paramount. Efficiency in the kitchen often boils down to the tools you use to prep and cook. For instance, if you want to create a perfectly smooth base for your sauce or even venture into making your own herb-infused oils, the Ninja BN751 Professional Plus DUO Blender is a game-changer with its 1000W motor. It is perfect for blending garlic and herbs into a fine paste if you prefer a more integrated sauce profile.
Preparation is the foundation of any great meal. Using a Cuisinart 8 Cup Food Processor can drastically reduce your prep time for this easy cream cheese chicken recipe by helping you mince garlic or chop herbs in seconds. Once your meal is complete, you will likely have leftovers because the portions are generous. Keeping those leftovers fresh is easy with the Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Storage Set of 9, which is leak-proof and stackable. For long-term storage of your chicken breasts or beef bacon, the FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Machine is indispensable for preventing freezer burn and maintaining ingredient quality. Finally, if you want to serve this chicken alongside some crispy roasted vegetables, the Cosori 9-in-1 TurboBlaze Air Fryer 6 Qt is the ideal companion for your stovetop cooking.
Mastering the Art of Beef Bacon and Creamy Sauces
One of the standout features of this easy cream cheese chicken recipe is the use of beef bacon. Beef bacon is an excellent alternative to other cured meats, offering a robust, hearty flavor that stands up well to the heavy cream cheese. When rendering the fat from the beef bacon, you are essentially creating a flavorful liquid gold that seasons the chicken from the outside in. This step is crucial in an easy cream cheese chicken recipe because it builds layers of flavor in the same pan, reducing cleanup while maximizing taste. The smokiness of the beef pairs exceptionally well with the tanginess of the cream cheese, creating a balanced flavor profile that is neither too heavy nor too bland.
When you transition to the sauce, the temperature of your cream cheese matters. In any easy cream cheese chicken recipe, adding cold cream cheese directly to a hot pan can result in a lumpy texture. By ensuring the cheese is at room temperature and whisking it slowly into the chicken broth, you achieve a silkiness that coats the back of a spoon perfectly. This technique is a fundamental skill that, once mastered through this easy cream cheese chicken recipe, can be applied to many other creamy dishes found in our extensive recipe collection. Remember, the goal is a cohesive, shimmering sauce that highlights the garlic and Italian seasonings without overpowering the chicken.
Step-by-Step Breakdown for the Perfect Sear
Getting a beautiful golden-brown sear on your chicken is the difference between a good meal and a great one. In this easy cream cheese chicken recipe, we recommend using thin cutlets or pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness. This ensures that the chicken cooks quickly and evenly, preventing the outside from becoming tough before the inside is done. When you place the chicken in the skillet with the beef bacon drippings and butter, resist the urge to move it immediately. Let it sit for at least 5 minutes to develop that characteristic crust. This crust, or “fond,” is what provides the deep savory notes when you deglaze the pan with broth later in the easy cream cheese chicken recipe process.
Once the chicken is seared and removed, the pan will be filled with flavorful browned bits. This is the moment to add your garlic. Garlic can burn easily, so keep it moving for just about a minute until it smells wonderful. Then, as you pour in the chicken broth, use your spatula to scrape those bits off the bottom. This process, known as deglazing, is the secret to why this easy cream cheese chicken recipe tastes like it was prepared by a professional chef. Every bit of flavor from the beef and the chicken is recaptured in the sauce, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
What should you serve with this easy cream cheese chicken recipe? The beauty of a saucy dish is that it practically begs for a starch to soak up every drop. A classic choice is serving the chicken over a bed of al dente fettuccine or linguine. The cream cheese sauce acts as a ready-made pasta sauce, eliminating the need for extra preparation. If you prefer a lighter option, garlic mashed potatoes or even a simple white rice will work beautifully to complement the easy cream cheese chicken recipe. The mildness of the starch allows the garlic and beef flavors to take center stage.
For those looking to add more greens to their plate, consider roasted asparagus or steamed broccoli. You can even toss the vegetables directly into the skillet during the final simmering stages of the easy cream cheese chicken recipe to let them absorb the creaminess. If you are interested in exploring more vegetable-forward pairings, check out our sitemap at FoodzRecipes for inspiration. A crisp garden salad with a light vinaigrette can also provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the chicken and beef bacon, cleansing the palate between bites.
Storing and Reheating Your Creamy Chicken
Leftovers from this easy cream cheese chicken recipe are something to look forward to the next day. However, creamy sauces can be tricky to reheat as they may separate. To maintain the integrity of the sauce, we recommend reheating it on the stovetop over low heat. Add a splash of broth or water to help loosen the cream cheese and stir continuously until heated through. If you must use a microwave, do so in short 30-second bursts, stirring in between to keep the texture smooth. Using high-quality storage like Rubbermaid Brilliance ensures that the chicken doesn’t dry out in the fridge.
If you are a meal prepper, this easy cream cheese chicken recipe is a fantastic candidate for your weekly lineup. You can prepare the chicken and sauce in bulk and portion them out with rice or pasta. Because the sauce is so stable once cooled, it holds up well for up to three days in the refrigerator. For even longer storage, you can use the FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer to freeze individual portions. Simply thaw in the fridge overnight before following the stovetop reheating method. This easy cream cheese chicken recipe proves that gourmet flavors can be part of your daily routine with just a little bit of planning.
Common Variations and Customizations
While the standard easy cream cheese chicken recipe is delicious as written, there is always room for creativity. If you find yourself without beef bacon, you can use small cubes of seared beef steak to provide that necessary saltiness and texture. For a bit of heat, consider adding red pepper flakes to the garlic as it sautés. If you prefer a more herbal flavor, fresh thyme or rosemary can be added to the sauce along with the Italian seasoning. This easy cream cheese chicken recipe is a flexible canvas that adapts to your personal taste preferences and what you have available in your pantry.
Another popular variation of the easy cream cheese chicken recipe involves adding spinach or sun-dried tomatoes. Adding two cups of fresh spinach at the very end until it wilts adds a pop of color and extra nutrients. Sun-dried tomatoes provide a tart contrast to the rich cream cheese, creating a flavor profile reminiscent of Tuscan-style cooking. No matter how you choose to modify it, the core principles of this easy cream cheese chicken recipe remain the same: high heat for the sear, low heat for the sauce, and plenty of garlic for the soul. For more ideas on how to customize your weeknight dinners, visit our sitemap at https://www.foodzrecipes.com/post-sitemap.xml.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this easy cream cheese chicken recipe?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a wonderful substitution in this easy cream cheese chicken recipe because they are naturally more moist and flavorful. Simply increase the cooking time by a few minutes per side to ensure they are fully cooked through. The rich sauce and beef bacon pair just as well with dark meat as they do with white meat.
How do I prevent the cream cheese sauce from breaking?
The key to a stable sauce in this easy cream cheese chicken recipe is temperature control. Never boil the sauce once the cream cheese has been added. Instead, keep it at a gentle simmer. Additionally, using full-fat cream cheese rather than low-fat versions provides more stability and a creamier mouthfeel, which is essential for a successful easy cream cheese chicken recipe.
Is there a substitute for beef bacon?
If you cannot find beef bacon, you can use any salt-cured beef product or even thinly sliced smoked beef. The goal is to provide a smoky, salty element to the easy cream cheese chicken recipe. If you prefer to skip the beef entirely, you can add smoked paprika and a bit of extra butter to mimic that depth of flavor.
Can I make this easy cream cheese chicken recipe in a slow cooker?
While this is primarily a one-pan stovetop dish, you can adapt it for a slow cooker. Place the chicken and broth in the cooker for 4-6 hours on low. In the last 30 minutes, stir in the softened cream cheese and garlic. However, you will miss out on the crispy texture of the seared chicken and beef bacon that makes the stovetop easy cream cheese chicken recipe so special.
What type of broth is best for this easy cream cheese chicken recipe?
A low-sodium chicken broth is highly recommended for this easy cream cheese chicken recipe. Since beef bacon and cream cheese both contain salt, using a low-sodium broth allows you to control the final seasoning perfectly without the dish becoming overly salty. Vegetable broth can also be used in a pinch.
