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If cozy dinners are your thing, these creamy bacon mushroom thyme chicken thighs need to happen soon. Between the crispy chicken skin, smoky bacon, and creamy mushroom sauce, every bite tastes rich and savory. Perfect for spooning over mashed potatoes!
The Magic of One Pan Chicken
- One Pan: Everything cooks in a single skillet, which means less cleanup and more time enjoying that creamy bacon mushroom sauce.
- Recipe Update! You talked, I listened. I added more cream to make the sauce a little saucier and more to go around.
- Perfect With All Your Favorite Sides: Spoon that rich, savory sauce over mashed potatoes, pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
A Reader’s Review
A friend and I made it, and we loved it! We talked about even making a bit more sauce and serving the chicken and sauce over pasta. Even her kids left nothing left. Can’t wait to make it again.
Janice
Bacon Mushroom Thyme Chicken Ingredients
- Save Time With the Bacon: Pre-cooked bacon is great, or you can cook chopped bacon right in the skillet before adding the chicken for even more flavor.
- Use the Bacon Grease: Swap the olive oil for bacon drippings when cooking the mushrooms to add extra smoky richness to the sauce.
- Taste Before Adding Extra Salt: Bacon can add saltiness, so it’s best to let the sauce thicken first, then taste and adjust if needed.
- Thyme: I prefer fresh thyme, but 1 teaspoon of dried thyme works.
How to Make Bacon Mushroom Thyme Chicken
Once the chicken thighs are cooked, everything comes together quickly. The mushrooms soak up all the good flavor left behind. The bacon adds smoky flavor. And the cream brings it all into a smooth sauce. From there, it’s just a few minutes until everything is bubbling together and ready to serve.
- Season the Chicken: Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Season the chicken thighs with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then add them skin-side down to the pan.
- Sear and Bake: Cook the chicken skin-side down for 3-4 minutes per side, until browned and crispy, then transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake for 18-22 minutes until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165ºF. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté the Mushrooms: Heat the olive oil in the same skillet, then add the mushrooms. Cook for 3-4 minutes over medium heat, stirring frequently until softened.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Add the bacon, cream, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and thyme to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and continue cooking until the sauce thickens, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add Chicken and Serve: Add the chicken back to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until the chicken is fully heated through. Serve the mushroom thyme chicken immediately.
Instant Pot Instructions
I recommend removing the skin before cooking since it tends to turn rubbery in the Instant Pot.
- Sear: Sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes. Add it to the Instant Pot with 1 cup of water.
- Cook: Cook for 10 minutes using the “meat” function, then do a manual release.
- Sauce & Serve: Add the cooked chicken to the sauce before serving.
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Creamy Bacon Mushroom Thyme Chicken
Creamy mushroom bacon thyme chicken is made with tender chicken, crispy bacon, buttery mushrooms, and fresh thyme simmered in a rich creamy sauce.
Equipment
- Heavy-bottomed skillet, or cast iron pan
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces sliced white mushrooms
- 6 slices cooked and chopped bacon about ½ cup
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs with 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper.
- Cook the chicken skin-side down for each side of the chicken for 3-4 minutes until browned and crispy, then transfer the skillet into the oven. Bake for 18-22 minutes until the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit on a thermometer. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in the same skillet, then add 8 ounces sliced white mushrooms. Cook for 3-4 minutes over medium heat, stirring frequently until softened.
- Add 6 slices cooked and chopped bacon, 1 ½ cups heavy cream, 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper to the skillet. Bring to a simmer, and continue to cook until the sauce starts to thicken, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add the chicken back to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until the chicken is fully heated through. Serve immediately.
Notes
Leftover and Make Ahead Instructions
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Reheat: Microwave in 30-second intervals.
- Freezer: I don’t recommend freezing this, since the mushrooms, bacon, and chicken skin will all lose their texture once thawed.
- Make Ahead: You may sear the chicken a few hours ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator in an airtight container; just be sure the chicken reaches 165ºF in the oven before adding it to the sauce.
Nutrition
Calories: 839kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 32gFat: 77gSaturated Fat: 32gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 29gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 264mgSodium: 939mgPotassium: 662mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1538IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 99mgIron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!
I’ve made this recipe multiple times and it is one of mine and my wife’s favorites. Excellent poured over egg noodles (although I double the sauce when doing that). My only suggestion is to be careful with the salt. I don’t add it until I’ve tasted the sauce. Sometimes the bacon adds more than enough.
Great recipe!
This dish was delicious and easy to make
Tried and tasted tonight. Lovely. So easy to make. Used fresh garlic instead of powder and did not put salt in until cooked. Glad I didn’t as there was enough salt in the bacon.
Family always looks forward to this meal
I thickened the sauce with corn starch and added a large handful of Spinach to the pan. Lots of garlic, paprika and a mixture of other spices. It’s devine.
I’ve made this recipe lots of times and it is so delicious! I always forget to buy fresh Thyme so I have been using dried thyme about 1/2 teaspoon or maybe 1 teaspoon. Fresh is always better but this is really delicious with dried thyme as well! I’m goi To make this again tonight! It’s so easy and fast to cook!