Maple Bacon Braised Chicken

5 from 1 vote

Sweet, smoky, and perfectly creamy, Maple Bacon Braised Chicken is a dish packed with comfort and flavor. Tender chicken pieces, browned and braised in a savory blend of white wine, chicken broth, and a hint of maple syrup, create a deeply flavorful sauce you’ll want to savor with every bite. The crispy bacon adds a smoky richness, while a touch of heavy cream at the end brings everything together in a deliciously smooth finish. Perfect for cozy dinners, this dish shines served over buttery noodles, fluffy mashed potatoes, or crusty bread for soaking up every drop of the rich sauce.

Prep Time25

Cook Time1

Total Time1 25

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Comfort Food

Keyword: American, Beverage Recipe, Comfort Food, Dinner Recipe, Main Course

Servings: servings

Calories: 978kcal

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

6 slices bacon
10 chicken pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (drumsticks and thighs work best)
1 medium onion sliced
6 garlic cloves minced
240 ml dry white wine
480 ml chicken broth
30 ml maple syrup
15 ml balsamic vinegar
120 ml heavy cream

Seasoning Rub:

1 tbsp salt
2 tsp pepper
2 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried basil

Instructions

Prepare and Brown the Bacon:

Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).
In a large, high-sided skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon, chop once cooled, and set aside. Reserve the bacon grease.

Season the Chicken:

Mix salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and basil. Rub this mixture all over the chicken pieces.

Brown the Chicken:

Add some of the reserved bacon grease back to the skillet. In batches, brown chicken pieces for 4-5 minutes per side until golden. Set browned chicken aside.

Cook Onions and Garlic:

In the same skillet, add onion and garlic. Sauté until tender and fragrant, about 8 minutes.

Deglaze and Build the Sauce:

Pour in white wine, scraping up any browned bits on the pan with a wooden spoon. Reduce the wine by half, about 5 minutes.
Add chicken broth, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, and the chopped bacon. Stir to combine.

Braise the Chicken:

Return chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and transfer the skillet to the oven.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

Add Cream and Finish:

Remove lid, pour in the heavy cream, and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot over buttered noodles, mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread.

Notes

Cooking the chicken skin-on and bone-in brings out the best flavors and ensures each piece stays juicy while braising. For an alcohol-free option, you can swap the white wine with more chicken broth or even apple cider for a slight sweetness that complements the maple. This dish is flexible and delicious with any starchy side that can soak up the sauce, making mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice perfect choices. Garnish with fresh herbs like thyme or parsley for added color and flavor.

Maple Bacon Braised Chicken is everything a cozy meal should be – savory, a little sweet, and wonderfully saucy. With crispy bacon, tender chicken, and a creamy finish, it’s bound to become a new favorite.

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