Here’s a savory summer spectacle to rival the classic chicken-bacon-ranch combo! Tomato Bacon Chicken still brings the crunchy, juicy breaded chicken and fatty, crispy bacon, served with bright, tangy, and smoky tomatoes that burst with sunshine flavor. The tenderness of the tomatoes provides a lovely contrast to the crunch of the chicken and bacon, while also adding a note of refreshment that will have your mouth watering. You can even make Tomato Bacon Chicken in half an hour or less, speeding you to a satisfying meal with seasonal flare. It’s relaxation on a plate!
Ingredients
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins
- 4 bacon strips, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Step 2 –Grease a rack and place it in a 15x10x1-inch baking pan.
Step 3 –In a shallow bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons of the thyme, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper.
Step 4 –Place the flour in a shallow bowl and the egg in another shallow bowl.
Step 5 –Dip the chicken into the flour, shaking off the excess.
Step 6 –Dip the flour-coated chicken in the egg and then in the crumb mixture, patting to help the crumb-coating adhere.
Step 7 –Place the chicken on the prepared rack on the baking sheet.
Step 8 –Bake until the chicken reaches 165 degrees F internally, about 15 minutes.
Step 9 –In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 5 minutes.
Step 10 –Transfer the bacon using a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
Step 11 –Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings in the pan, discarding the rest.
Step 12 –Add the tomatoes, the vinegar, the brown sugar, the remaining salt, and the remaining pepper to the reserved drippings over medium heat.
Step 13 –Cook the tomato mixture and stir until the tomatoes are tender, for about 2-3 minutes.
Step 14 –Stir the bacon and the remaining thyme into the tomato mixture.
Step 15 –Serve the chicken with the tomato mixture.
