Sweet and Salty Chicken with Pear Sauce

When people think of recipes with pears in them, most won't jump to dinner. A sweet yet simple fruit, pears are a wonderful complement to chicken. And in the case of this recipe, it can be a great counterpart to the saltiness of bacon.

Chicken with Pear Sauce

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth minus 3 tablespoons
• 2 cups peeled, cored and diced pears
• 1/2 teaspoon honey
• Red pepper flakes to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons chicken broth
• 1/4 cup chopped green onion

1. Heat oil over medium high heat in large skillet. Rub chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Sear chicken breasts just until outside starts to brown. Bake in oven at 350 degrees until cooked thoroughly.

2. While chicken bakes, fry bacon until crispy. Drain grease from pan, leaving 1 tablespoon in the pan. Deglaze pan with a bit of the chicken broth. Add remaining chicken broth, honey, pepper flakes, and salt, bring to a boil. Add pears and boil for 5 minutes. Mash pears until almost smooth.

3. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch into 3 tablespoons chicken broth. Pour into pan with pear mixture. Add green onions and whisk until it begins to thicken. Crumble bacon into sauce.

This dish is a definite kid pleaser. It can be easily changed up by serving over egg noodles, brown rice, or mashed red potatoes.