Introduction
Are you a chicken lover craving something new and insanely flavorful? Look no further than this smothered chicken recipe, blanketed in a luscious creamed spinach sauce with crispy bacon and caramelized mushrooms. This gluten-free, low-carb dish is healthy comfort food at its finest!
Imagine juicy, tender chicken breasts smothered in a velvety spinach cream sauce infused with garlic. Add to that the irresistible crunch of smoky bacon bits and the rich, earthy essence of sautéed mushrooms. It’s an explosion of flavors and textures in every bite that will have you reaching for seconds!
Why This Smothered Chicken Recipe is a Must-Try:
This recipe offers creamy, low-carb goodness packed with protein and veggies. It involves easy, effortless prep for a restaurant-quality meal at home. It is also gluten-free and keto-friendly, making it great for any dietary need.
The flavors are kid-friendly with a gourmet twist. It is perfect for meal prep, as it reheats beautifully! This dish has it all.
Ingredients Needed for Smothered Chicken Bliss:
To make this delicious dish, you will need boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You will also need fresh baby spinach and thick-cut smoky bacon. Remember to grab some cremini or button mushrooms.
Minced garlic, creamy half and half, and shredded mozzarella cheese are also required. You will need sliced pepper jack or jalapeño monterey jack cheese. Finally, gather some butter or olive oil, salt, lemon pepper, and paprika.
How to Make Smothered Chicken with Creamed Spinach:
Season chicken breasts with salt, lemon pepper, and paprika. Sear in a hot skillet to lock in juices. The chicken should be a nice golden brown.
Make the luscious creamed spinach by wilting fresh spinach with garlic, then folding in half and half and mozzarella until velvety smooth. Sauté sliced mushrooms until browned and caramelized. They will add a nice, savory flavor.
Arrange seared chicken in a baking dish and layer with creamed spinach, crispy bacon bits, sauteed mushrooms, and pepper jack cheese slices. Bake until chicken is cooked through, browning the cheesy tops under the broiler for extra deliciousness.
Pro Tips for the Best Smothered Chicken:
Use a cast iron skillet to get the perfect crust on the chicken before baking. Add a splash of chicken broth when making the creamed spinach for extra richness. You want a nice, deep flavor.
Try other cheese varieties like gouda, swiss or provolone on top! Garnish with chopped parsley, chives or red pepper flakes for a fresh pop of flavor. These herbs will elevate the dish.
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving for ultimate juiciness. This allows the juices to redistribute. Resting is essential for the best result.
Storing and Reheating:
This smothered chicken keeps beautifully! Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Simply reheat in the oven or microwave when ready to eat again.
The creamed spinach and melty cheese will stay luxuriously saucy. The flavors will meld together even more. It is a great make-ahead meal.
Smothered Chicken with Creamed Spinach, Bacon, and Mushrooms
Are you a chicken lover craving something new and insanely flavorful? Look no further than this smothered chicken recipe, blanketed in a luscious creamed spinach sauce with crispy bacon and caramelized mushrooms. This is a really satisfying dish.
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Details
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- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 4
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt, lemon pepper seasoning, paprika
Creamed Spinach:
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 10 oz fresh spinach
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2/3 cup half and half
- 2/3 cup shredded mozzarella
Other:
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 oz sliced mushrooms
- 4 slices cooked bacon, chopped
- 4 slices pepper jack or jalapeño monterey jack cheese
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a baking dish with butter. This will prevent sticking and make clean up a breeze.
Season chicken all over with salt, lemon pepper and paprika. Sear chicken in a hot skillet to lock in juices, then transfer to baking dish and bake for 15-20 minutes. Be sure not to crowd the pan when searing.
Make creamed spinach: In a skillet, wilt spinach with vegetable oil for 1-2 mins. Remove from heat and stir in garlic and half and half. Bring to boil then add mozzarella, stirring constantly until sauce is creamy and smooth. Season with salt.
Sauté mushrooms in oil over high heat for 1-2 mins until caramelized. Remove chicken from oven and top each breast with creamed spinach, bacon bits, sautéed mushrooms and pepper jack cheese slices. The cheese will melt beautifully over the toppings.
Return to oven for 15-20 more minutes until chicken is fully cooked. Broil for 2-4 minutes to brown the cheesy tops. Watch it carefully so it does not burn.
Let rest 5 mins before serving hot. Enjoy! This allows the flavors to meld and the chicken to become more tender.
Conclusion
With tender chicken enveloped in luscious creamed spinach, smoky bacon crunch, and buttery sauteed mushrooms all baked under a blanket of ooey-gooey cheese, this smothered chicken is an easy yet decadent dinner you’ll crave again and again. It is the ultimate comfort food.
