Description

This Fall Harvest Balsamic Chicken Skillet is a vibrant, one-pan meal combining tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a medley of seasonal vegetables and fruits. With the sweetness of butternut squash and apples balanced by tangy balsamic vinegar, crunchy pecans, and fresh thyme, this dish offers a perfect harmony of flavors and textures ideal for a cozy autumn dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Protein

4 slices bacon
1 lb chicken breast, cut into 1 inch pieces

Vegetables & Fruits

1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
2 cups diced butternut squash
2 cups brussels sprout halves
1 apple, diced

Oils & Vinegar

2 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Other Ingredients

1/2 tsp sea salt
2/3 cup diced pecans
1/2 cup pomegranate arils
1 tbsp fresh thyme (for garnish)

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Instructions

Cook the bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Spray with non-stick spray, then add bacon slices. Cook 3-4 minutes per side until crisp. Remove from pan, set aside, and crumble. Leave 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet for cooking chicken.
Sauté the chicken: Add chicken pieces to the hot skillet with bacon fat. Cook for 5-7 minutes, tossing frequently so all sides brown evenly. The chicken may remain slightly undercooked, which is fine as it will finish cooking later. Remove and set aside with bacon.
Cook vegetables: Add 2 tablespoons of olive or avocado oil to the skillet. Toss in diced onion, butternut squash, and brussels sprouts. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are lightly browned and beginning to crisp.
Combine ingredients: Add diced apples, cooked chicken, and crumbled bacon back to the skillet. Toss to mix and allow flavors to meld. Stir in sea salt and balsamic vinegar. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to combine flavors and finish cooking the chicken.
Add finishing touches: Remove skillet from heat. Gently fold in diced pecans and pomegranate arils for added texture and sweetness. Garnish with fresh thyme and adjust salt to taste. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Using bacon fat to cook the chicken adds rich flavor; be sure to leave some fat in the pan after cooking bacon.
If apples are tart, you can use sweeter varieties like Fuji or Gala to balance the dish.
Feel free to substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds depending on preference or availability.
Pomegranate arils add a burst of freshness, but dried cranberries can be a good alternative.
For a dairy-free option, confirm non-stick spray is free of dairy ingredients.
To make this dish gluten-free, ensure all ingredients like balsamic vinegar are labeled gluten-free.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 370 kcal
Sugar: 8 g
Sodium: 450 mg
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 18 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 28 g
Cholesterol: 70 mg