Smothered Chicken with Creamed Spinach, Bacon, and Mushrooms
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Toppings:
6 slices bacon, chopped
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
For the Creamed Spinach:
10 oz fresh spinach (or 1 package frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Garnish:
Fresh parsley, chopped
Directions:
Prepare the Chicken:
Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side until browned and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/75°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Cook the Bacon and Mushrooms:
In the same skillet, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet.
Add the sliced mushrooms to the skillet with the bacon fat and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned. Add minced garlic and butter, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Set the mushroom mixture aside with the bacon.
Prepare the Creamed Spinach:
In a separate pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Add fresh spinach to the pan (or thawed frozen spinach) and cook until wilted, about 3-4 minutes.
Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, then cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Assemble the Dish:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Place the cooked chicken breasts in a baking dish. Spoon the creamed spinach over each piece of chicken, followed by the cooked mushrooms and crispy bacon bits.
Bake and Serve:
Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve hot.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes
Kcal: Approx. 500-600 per serving | Servings: 4 servings