Pan-Seared Chicken with Bacon, Mushrooms, and Melted Cheese

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken breasts pan-seared and topped with sautéed bacon, mushrooms, and melted cheese for a comforting Australian-inspired dinner. This australian-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs (about 6 oz each) chicken breasts, bacon slices, sliced button mushrooms for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 2, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 2 Australian cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 chicken breasts (about 6 oz each) and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through; internal temperature should reach 165°F. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 4 sliced bacon strips and cook over medium heat for 4 minutes until crisp. Remove bacon to a plate lined with paper towels.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 tbsp unsalted butter and 2 minced garlic cloves to the bacon fat in the skillet. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Add 1 cup sliced button mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are browned and tender.
  6. Step 6: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, top each with cooked bacon slices and sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the chicken.
  7. Step 7: Cover skillet with a lid and reduce heat to low. Cook for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles, then serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Bacon, Mushrooms, and Melted Cheese take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Bacon, Mushrooms, and Melted Cheese?

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 bacon slices from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken with Bacon, Mushrooms, and Melted Cheese?

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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Bacon, Mushrooms, and Melted Cheese for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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.

What goes well with Pan-Seared Chicken with Bacon, Mushrooms, and Melted Cheese?

Australian chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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