When you make a delicious dish like this Slow Cooker Creamy Bacon Chicken, the soothing scent of a home-cooked dinner wafts through the air as you go about your day. Time-pressed parents and comfort food lovers have perfected this recipe throughout the years, passing it down from generation to generation at potlucks and dinner tables. In honor of those treasured, leisurely family meals when the day's stress melts away into laughing and shared memories, this recipe pays homage with its creamy sauce and smoky bacon undertones. This is the perfect recipe for those nights when you want to treat yourself but don't want to spend too much time in the kitchen since you know your slow cooker will take care of everything while you enjoy quality time with your loved ones.
The creamy bacon chicken cooked in a slow cooker goes well with many different sides. My favorite way to make it more homey is to top it with egg noodles or buttery mashed potatoes for a hearty, rustic dinner. To lighten up the dish, try serving the chicken with a steamed green bean or garden salad instead of heavy sauce. With a side of light biscuits, you can easily soak up all that delicious gravy. Feel free to set the table with any warm fixings that your loved ones usually use!
Four chicken breasts (without bones and skin)
"Garlic Powder" measuring one teaspoon
Ingredients needed: - 1 teaspoon of dried thyme - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, according to taste - 6 slices of bacon - 1 finely chopped small onion - 2 minced garlic cloves - 1 cup of chicken broth - 1 cup of heavy cream - 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour - 1/2 cup of sour cream - 1 cup of minced cheddar cheese
For garnish, chop some fresh parsley.
What to do
Begin by seasoning the chicken breasts with thyme, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Put them in the slow cooker's base.
The second step is to crisp up the bacon in a pan set over medium heat. Once bacon is removed, set it aside to drain on paper towels. Once cooled to a manageable temperature, crumble the bacon.
3. Cook the onion for approximately 3 minutes, or until it becomes mushy, in the bacon fat. Sauté the garlic for one more minute after adding it. Pour the garlic and onion mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker.
4. Pour the chicken stock into the skillet to deglaze it, being sure to scrape off any browned pieces from the bottom. Add this to the chicken and mix well.
5. Once the chicken is halfway done cooking, cover and simmer on low for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
6. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and heavy cream until smooth. Add this mixture to the slow cooker with the crumbled bacon and stir to combine. To achieve a somewhat thick sauce, continue cooking on high for another 25-30 minutes.
7. To make a creamy sauce, melt the cheddar cheese and mix in the sour cream right before serving.
8. Top with minced parsley and serve while still heated.
Tips and Variations—It's possible to use onion powder for the onion in this dish if you're serving someone who are really particular about what they eat.
Substitute a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch combined with 1 tablespoon water) for the flour if you like a richer sauce. Throw in some kale or spinach in the last few minutes of cooking for a little more greenery.
– Use pre-cooked bacon or bacon bits to save time on hectic days. - For consistent cooking, check that your slow cooker is neither too full nor too empty. - And don't forget that a dash of love is the secret ingredient!
