Two weeks ago, I made a brie-and-bacon sauce for some salmon, and I had a lot of it left over. So the next day, I used it to make Chicken over Pasta in a Brie and Bacon Sauce. I loved the sauce just as much in this context. The pasta seems to amplify the sauce’s cheesiness, and the bacon … chicken’s been best friends with bacon even before that fateful day it cross the road.
½ batch brie-and-bacon sauce
12 oz. casarecce, or whatever pasta shape you prefer
4 cups of broccoli florets (optional, as an accompaniment)
4 chicken breasts
Salt
1 heaping Tbs fine breadcrumbs
1 heaping Tbs flour
1 heaping tsp bacon fat
Olive oil
¼ cup white wine
1 tsp stone-ground mustard
4 Tbs cooked, chopped bacon
Start with the brie sauce. You can make it in advance; it reheats perfectly. Cook pasta according to package directions. (Meanwhile, steam the broccoli, or cook it in your favorite way.) While that’s going on, get started on the chicken.
There are many ways to prepare chicken breasts; use your favorite method, or try this: preheat a large skillet over low heat. (For some types of pans, preheating isn’t necessary or recommended.) Remove the chicken from its packaging and, without rinsing it or patting it dry, place it on a cutting board. Generously salt both sides. Sprinkle half the crumbs over them and rub it in. Sprinkle half the flour over them, and rub that in, too. Flip the chicken and repeat with remaining crumbs and flour. Spend some time rubbing the chicken into the flour that remains on the board, getting it on all sides and into every nook and cranny. Gently shake off excess.
Add fat to the pan and raise the heat to med-high. Once the oil’s hot, add the chicken to the pan and cover it with a splatter shield. Fry until deeply browned, about 5 minutes, shifting the breasts’ positions in the pan periodically, if necessary, to promote even browning. Flip and repeat, supplementing the fat with olive oil, if necessary. Use an instant-read thermometer to test the thickest part of the thickest breast, and remove from pan when the temperature reaches 160°F. Rest chicken on a plate.
Add wine to the pan and raise the temperature to high. Deglaze the pan. Add mustard. Stir and reduce to a syrup. (You may need to tip the pan and let the liquid accumulate along the side of the pan as it reduces.) Off heat.
A crisp glass of chilled white wine goes beautifully with this dish.
Toss the pasta with the brie sauce and distribute among 4 bowls. Sprinkle with bacon. Nestle a chicken breast into of each portion. Spoon pan sauce over each. (There won’t be much more than a tsp of pan sauce per serving, but that’s all you need.)
Serve Chicken and Pasta in a Bacon and Brie Sauce with a chilled chardonnay.
Notes:
- Use a cutting board that can go into the dishwasher easily. Put it into the dishwasher as the chicken fries, to free up counter space (and so that you’re not tempted to use it for anything further, now that it’s had raw chicken on it).
- A heaping Tbs of breadcrumbs and a heaping Tbs of flour are not identical amounts, since flour heaps better on a spoon. The ratio is probably something like 4 parts flour to 1 part crumbs, or maybe 3:1. There’s a lot of wiggle room; you can just eyeball the mixture to your preferences.
All these flavors go together perfectly.
Chicken over Pasta in a Brie and Bacon Sauce
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Love this! I remember your salmon Rushdie recipe well!
Mimi recently posted…Pissaladière
Brie and Bacon should be a food group all on its own. I’m so glad you added broccoli, so that way I can feel I’m eating healthy. Regardless, I would love this any day of the week!
The miLam crew insisted on broccoli. They said I was cheesing them unduely. But I love broccoli, so…
That brie and bacon sauce sure is versatile. I like it! Do you think it’s freezable Jeff?
Love how you’ve paired this chicken pasta dish with that chilled chardonnay too. Now you’re talking! 🙂
That’s a good question. I didn’t freeze any. I think you can, because it’s a white sauce with cheese (and sauces like that are supposedly freezable). Next time I make it, I’ll experiment and let you know.
And now I know why the chicken crossed the road! Because bacon. Actually, that can serve as the answer to all questions in life. Seriously. If you’re ever asked a question you don’t know the answer to (or don’t want to answer), just say bacon. 🙂 Love this recipe…it sounds like one delicious plate of comfort food!
David @ Spiced recently posted…Confetti Pasta Salad
Who wouldn’t cross the road for bacon?
Chicken breast is for sure a favourite, and I usually prepare it with a simple rub made with salt, pepper and herbs…sometimes curry. Yours with crumbs and flour must have given them some extra crispiness. Can’t wait to give it a try!
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted…Walnut Date Loaf#refined sugar free
It does add a bit of crispiness, and great color. But curry – that’s a great idea.
Yum, this sounds very good, and sinfully rich.
I’m surprised to hear the sauce reheats so well, but glad – us being only 2 people, I always seem to have leftovers that I hate to see go to waste.
Jay recently posted…Zodiac: 10th Annivesary
Yeah, reheats all creamy and lovely. I don’t know why some do and some don’t; science. But this is one that does.
Chicken and bacon. Yes. Bacon and Brie. Yes please. GREg
sippitysup recently posted…Resuscitated Breakfast Pizza: The Good, the Bad and the Delicious
Yes!
Chicken and bacon and brie? It sounds and looks absolutely wonderful, creamy, tangy, salty and smooth. Yes please, I will take a glass (or ten) or wine with that. 😉
Eva Taylor recently posted…Apple, Bran and Date Mini-Muffins Revamped
You and me both.
I think everything is best friends with bacon. 🙂 This looks terrific — really like the brie in it. Thanks!
John/Kitchen Riffs recently posted…Beet and Red Onion Salad
Thanks, John!
Everything looks perfect in this plate, Chicken, pasta, cheese and bacon what more can I ask for!
Raymund recently posted…Crab Rangoon
Thanks!
The brie and bacon sound like a delicious combination. And i love anything served over noodles.
peter @Feed Your Soul Too recently posted…Beef Cheese Hoagie Sandwich
Me too! I’m such a carboholic.
Brie and bacon sauce? Just hand me a spoon!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland recently posted…Sweet Corn, Hatch Chile, and Bacon Salsa
Right? It’s pretty good!
mmm. . . this looks wonderful. I like how you made a new dish using the left-over sauce. You are so creative.
Thank you.
This looks like some delicious “grown up” mac and cheese. I don’t eat brie enough, in my opinion. Thanks for the recipe.
Kevin | economicalchef.com recently posted…Healthy Buffalo Chicken Bites
You’re welcome.
This sounds like a great sauce for pasta and chicken! Your blog looks great too.
Joanne | No Plate Like Home recently posted…The Best Creamy Dill Red Skin Potato Salad
Thank you!
Ha! I remember your Salmon Rushdie, and this one STILL got my attention. I mean Brie and Bacon Sauce. Does it every time!
Kevin | Keviniscooking recently posted…Mango Sriracha Roasted Chicken Thighs
Thanks, man!
I can just hang out on your site and not get a thing done. I just love your recipes and this chicken pasta dish has me wanting it for breakfast!
What a sweet thing to say! Thank you.