Chicken with Almonds and Bacon

Chicken with almonds and bacon is a dish that blends the flavors of Italian cooking with an exotic touch thanks to the presence of almonds. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 500 g of chicken breast
• 100 g of smoked bacon, diced
• 75 g of shelled almonds
• 1 small white onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 100 ml of chicken or vegetable broth
• 50 ml of white wine
• Flour, as needed for dusting the chicken
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and dust them lightly with flour.
2. Toast the almonds in a non-stick pan until golden, then set aside.
3. In the same pan, add a drizzle of oil and fry the diced bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside.
4. Add the finely chopped onion and crushed garlic to the pan. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
5. Add the dusted chicken and brown it until golden on all sides. Deglaze with the white wine over high heat and let the alcohol evaporate.
6. Once the wine has evaporated, add the chicken broth, bacon, and half of the almonds. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Cook everything over medium-low heat for about 15-20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has slightly reduced.
8. Before serving, add the remaining almonds on top of the dish to add crunchiness and flavor.

As a final touch, I recommend garnishing the dish with some freshly chopped parsley for a contrast of color and a light herbal note.

Fun Facts

Almonds are widely used in Mediterranean cuisine and besides adding a pleasant contrast in texture and flavor to dishes, they are also rich in healthy fats, proteins, and fiber. In this dish, they perfectly match the saltiness of the bacon and the tenderness of the chicken.

Enjoy your meal!