Creamy Garlic Parmesan Mushroom Chicken and Bacon

Chicken, Bacon, Mushrooms and Cheese.  What's not to love?  It was very good, especially over Penne.  Any reason to have creamy pasta is a good reason, and this was no exception.

Would have again.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Mushroom Chicken and Bacon

Photo by ALB

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Mushroom Chicken and Bacon is packed full of flavour for an easy, weeknight dinner the whole family will love!

Adapted from Author: Karina - Cafe Delites 
Serves: 6

Ingredients
FOR THE CHICKEN:
6 bone-in, skin-on or off chicken thighs
1 tablespoon olive oil (didn't use)
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

FOR THE CREAM SAUCE:
4 cloves garlic, crushed
7 ounces | 200 grams diced bacon (used 3.5 oz Center Cut)
14 ounces | 400 grams sliced brown mushrooms (cremini) (used 1 lb)
1 cup cream OR milk* (used fat-free half-half)
(used 1/2 tsp AP flour)
½ cup chicken broth
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Salt, only if needed to your taste
Extra chopped fresh parsley, to garnish
Fresh shaved or grated parmesan, to garnish

Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F.

Arrange chicken on a plate. Combine together the olive oil, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper in a jug. Rub the oil mixture over the chicken to completely coat. (if you mash garlic, it gets a paste-y consistency that you can rub with everything else).

Heat a large, oven proof pan or skillet over medium high heat. Sear the chicken, skin-side down first, until skin is crisp and golden brown. Rotate and sear the other side (about 2-3 minutes per side). Transfer to oven and roast until completely cooked through, about 25-30 minutes. Once chicken is done, remove from skillet; set aside. Pour out HALF of the chicken juices left in the pan.

Using the same skillet the chicken was in, fry the garlic in the reserved chicken juices over medium heat, stirring frequently until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the bacon and fry until just beginning to crisp. Add in the mushrooms and cook until mushrooms begin to soften.

Pour in the cream OR milk (and flour, see notes), chicken broth and Parmesan; allow to simmer until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. SEE NOTES if using milk INSTEAD of cream option)

Season with pepper. Taste first before adding in any extra salt, as the bacon will add the salt.

Add the chicken back into the pan; allow to simmer for 1-2 minutes in the cream to take on the flavours. Garnish with parsley and shaved or grated parmesan, if desired. Serve over rice, pasta, or steamed/grilled vegetables.

Notes
*If using cream, half and half, thickened cream, heavy cream, or light or reduced fat cooking cream are all fine to use. If you prefer a thicker sauce, whisk together 1 level teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon milk until lump free and well blended. Add the mixture into the cream sauce, while stirring continuously, until thickened.

*If using milk, skim, low fat, full fat, almond, or cashew, etc are fine to use, to reduce calories. Add in the milk; bring to a simmer; whisk 2 teaspoons of cornstarch into 1-2 tablespoons of *extra* milk; pour cornstarch mixture into the centre of the pan; stir continuously until the milk thickens and becomes a 'cream'.

10 Smart Points (my additions/subtractions at 6 servings-no pasta)