Creamy Bacon & Herb Chicken Skillet
A high-protein keto dinner with tender chicken, smoky bacon, and a rich herb-infused cream sauce, ready in under 20 minutes. This american-inspired keto (keto, high-protein) ready in about 22 minutes pairs boneless chicken breast, smoked bacon, heavy cream for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 1, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 oz boneless chicken breast
- 2 slices smoked bacon
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 oz cream cheese
- 1 tsp finely chopped fresh thyme
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the 6 oz chicken breast dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/8 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F, then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: While chicken cooks, chop the 2 slices bacon into 1/2-inch pieces and cook in the same skillet over medium heat until crisp (about 3 minutes), then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low, add the 2 tbsp heavy cream and 1 oz cream cheese to the skillet, stirring constantly until the cream cheese melts and the mixture thickens slightly (about 2 minutes).
- Step 5: Stir in 1 tsp finely chopped fresh thyme and 1/4 tsp garlic powder, then return the cooked chicken and bacon to the skillet, coating everything evenly and heating through for 1 minute until the sauce clings to the chicken.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Bacon & Herb Chicken Skillet take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Creamy Bacon & Herb Chicken Skillet?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep boneless chicken breast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Bacon & Herb Chicken Skillet?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Creamy Bacon & Herb Chicken Skillet for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Creamy Bacon & Herb Chicken Skillet keto?
Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, high-protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 12-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
