Parmesan Crusted Chicken (with Bacon Cream Sauce) (2024)

Get ready to indulge with this mouthwatering Parmesan Crusted Chicken (with Bacon Cream Sauce) recipe. Featuring a rich bacon cream sauce that’s to die for, this keto-friendly dinner recipe is a fan favorite that will have you savoring every bite.

Eating bacon while you’re on a diet feels counterintuitive to the non keto believers, but it’s a secret weapon of keto recipes. Packed with savory flavor but low in carbs, bacon is an ingredient guaranteed to leave you feeling full and satisfied. But when it comes to this keto parmesan-crusted chicken recipe, the bacon cream sauce is only part of the reason it’s a fan (and family!) favorite.

Why You’ll Love Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Bacon Cream Sauce

• With only 10 minutes of prep work, this is the perfect dish for busy weeknights or when you just want to spend more time somewhere other than the kitchen.
• Juicy, flavor-packed, and incredibly filling, this keto parmesan-crusted chicken recipe tastes indulgent but is packed with protein and low on carbs.
• The combination of crispy parmesan crust and juicy, tender chicken elevates the texture of this dish.
• Thanks to great substitutes, Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Bacon Cream Sauce isn’t only keto-friendly, but it can also be made to be dairy-free and gluten-free.

Top Tips

If you’re lactose-intolerant, don’t worry: you can still indulge in this delicious dish. With so many dairy-free options widely available, it’s easy to swap out ingredients like Parmesan and heavy cream to accommodate food allergies and sensitivities.

When you make dairy-free parmesan-crusted chicken, add nutritional yeast to your crust mix. This will help bring out the nutty flavor of the (fake) parmesan and gives the dish a boost of B vitamins.

Store-bought dairy-free substitutes for cream cheese and heavy cream are fine to use for a dairy-free version of the bacon cream sauce. Just be sure to add some nutritional yeast to ensure you get the best flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breasts (about 3 large breasts)
• 3 tbsp mayo
• 4 tbsp shredded parmesan cheese
• 3 slice bacon, fried and crumbled (reserve 2-3 tbsp bacon grease)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp cream cheese
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• pinch of salt and pepper

How to Make Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Bacon Cream Sauce

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Pat chicken dry. Use a silicone basting brush to spread mayo evenly on top of chicken.
3. Top each breast with 1T parmesan cheese and place in baking dish.
4. Bake uncovered 40-45 minutes until internal temperature is approx. 160 degrees and juices run clear.
5. When the chicken has about 10 minutes left in the oven, begin sauce.
6. Using a non-stick skillet, warm up the reserved bacon grease over MED LOW heat. Be sure it does not start sizzling or bubbling.
7. Whisk in the heavy cream until well combined. Continue whisking until the mixture starts to foam up on the edges of the skillet.
8. Add the cream cheese and whisk until smooth. Add last tbsp of parmesan and garlic powder and whisk until smooth.
9. Toss in a few bacon pieces, making sure to leave enough for the top of the chicken.
10. Each breast should be topped with 2-3 tbsp of sauce and a few bacon crumbles.

What Sides Go With Parmesan Crusted Chicken With Bacon Cream Sauce?

When choosing sides to pair with your main entree, you’ll want to consider the main flavors of the dish. The main flavors in the Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Bacon Cream Sauce are obviously parmesan and bacon — two rich and savory flavors that already complement each other very well. So you’ll want to stick to side dishes that feature garlic, lemon, rosemary, black pepper, or thyme.

This Creamy Keto Cauliflower Rice recipe, for instance, features garlic, which will bring out the smokiness of the bacon and the nuttiness of the parmesan in your chicken. These Crispy Keto Brussel Sprouts or other roasted vegetables are other great keto-friendly side dish options that can add texture and flavor to your dinner.

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