i love it when my favorite foods cuddle in a hot skillet.
and in this dish, 5 of nearly everyone’s favorites get up close + awesome!
this bacon-wrapped chicken in a pesto-cream sauce is one you’ll want to keep in the back of your mind for last minute guests or maybe even for when you run late from work but promised your fam a super special meal.
run late, you say?
yeah! because this whole dish comes together in under 20 minutes AND in only 1 skillet!
while some of you might have rolled your eyes at the indulgence of the ingredients, i do want to point out that life is all about balance amiright?
but, let’s look at this through optimistic-colored glasses.. you’re getting a generous dose of protein + if done right, a bite of asparagus in every bite! go you!
alright, fine, you caught me.
i mostly wanted to make that ‘go you!’ point because i highly suggest you sop up all the creamy goodness on your plate with a big ol piece of crusty garlic bread.
but alas – i saved the best news for last. .
i totally tricked you!
there’s only 319 calories in each serving of this special-occasion-tasting, bacon-boasting, dreamy-pesto-doused chicken!
go on, treat yourself to TWO slices of garlic bread in celebration!
- 2 large chicken breast {8oz each}, thinly sliced {or pounded thin} + cut in half {totaling 4 pieces}
- 4 slices bacon
- 1 bunch asparagus, woody ends discarded + cut into 2-inch pieces
- ¼ cup basil pesto
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- paprika, pepper + kosher salt, to taste
- start a pot with a few inches of water to boil.
- when the water in the pot has reached a rolling boil, place the asparagus into the water + cook until tender {about 5 minutes}
- remove the asparagus from the pot with a slotted spoon + into a strainer in the sink. immediately rinse the asparagus with cold water to stop the cooking. set aside
- in a small bowl, whisk together the pesto + cream. set aside.
- heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- while the skillet heats up, season the chicken liberally with pepper + paprika. {if you choose to salt the chicken, be sparse - bacon is super salty!}
- wrap each piece of chicken with a piece of bacon.
- once the skillet is hot, place the wrapped chicken in.
- cook the chicken for 5 minutes, flip + cook for an additional 5 minutes. remove from the skillet to a plate then using a paper towel, wipe the skillet clean of the bacon grease. set the chicken back into the skillet.
- pour the pesto cream mixture over the chicken + add the asparagus into the skillet.
- bring the cream to a boil, turn off the heat + serve with crusty garlic bread! enjoy!
use turkey bacon! one thing i do love about turkey bacon is how easily it crisps up, therefore i would suggest to watch it closely + possibly adjust the sear time.
this dish lends well to a single serving! just simply cut down the amounts to adjust to your serving size.
use a frozen asparagus steamer bag {like this guy!} to skip the extra pot + boil-n-rinse step!
wine suggestion: sauvignon blancs are pesto’s perfect partner!
watch the dish come together from start to finish!
{PS → real time videos can be found on my snapchat! follow me! username: kellymaurine}
join along as kelly posts, pins + peruses for inspiration in her ambitious kitchen!
This looks awesome and I am going to try it this weekend!