Description
Smothered Chicken with Spinach and Bacon is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts topped with rich creamed spinach, sautéed mushrooms, crispy bacon, and melted pepper jack cheese. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this recipe combines savory seasonings and a luscious sauce in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1.5 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast (about 4 small or 2 large breasts, halved)
- Salt, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Creamed Spinach
- 10 ounces fresh spinach
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- â…” cup half-and-half
- â…” cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Mushrooms and Bacon
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 4 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
Assembly
- 4 slices Pepper Jack cheese (or Monterey Jack cheese with jalapenos)
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt, lemon pepper seasoning, and paprika. Cook the chicken breasts for 6-8 minutes per side until they are golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Prepare Creamed Spinach: Using the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and fresh spinach, cooking until the spinach wilts completely. Stir in the half-and-half and shredded mozzarella cheese continuously until the mixture becomes smooth, creamy, and well combined. Set the creamed spinach aside.
- Cook Mushrooms and Bacon: In another skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes until soft. Stir in the chopped cooked bacon to combine evenly with the mushrooms.
- Assemble the Dish: Place the cooked chicken breasts on serving plates. Top each chicken breast with a generous portion of the creamed spinach, then spoon over the mushroom and bacon mixture. Finish each chicken breast by placing a slice of Pepper Jack cheese on top, allowing it to melt before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute half-and-half with heavy cream for a richer sauce or milk for a lighter version.
- Bacon can be cooked in the oven or microwave for convenience before chopping.
- Use Monterey Jack cheese with jalapenos if you prefer a milder cheese with a hint of spice.
- For a lower-fat option, use a reduced-fat cheese and substitute butter with olive oil.
- Serve with mashed potatoes or rice for a complete meal.
