Description
Succulent smothered chicken with creamed spinach, bacon, and mushrooms delivers Southern comfort on a plate. Rich layers of flavor and crispy bacon create a hearty meal that satisfies deep hunger and warms hungry souls.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Bacon and Mushrooms:
- 6 slices bacon
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Creamed Spinach:
- 10 oz fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup cream cheese
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, ensuring even coating.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Sear chicken breasts for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside, keeping warm.
- In the same skillet, crisp bacon until edges are deep brown and texture is crunchy.
- Transfer bacon to paper towel-lined plate, leaving rendered fat in pan.
- Sauté sliced mushrooms in bacon fat for 4-5 minutes until edges caramelize and moisture evaporates.
- Add minced garlic and cook for additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and add butter to create creamed spinach base.
- Incorporate heavy cream, cream cheese, and parmesan, stirring continuously until smooth.
- Fold in fresh spinach, allowing leaves to wilt and integrate into sauce.
- Season creamed spinach with nutmeg, salt, and black pepper.
- Crumble reserved bacon and sprinkle over creamed spinach.
- Return chicken to skillet, nestling pieces into creamed spinach.
- Warm briefly for 2-3 minutes to marry flavors and ensure chicken is heated through.
- Serve immediately, spooning extra creamed spinach and mushroom mixture over chicken.
Notes
- Customize chicken thickness by gently pounding breasts to ensure even cooking and tender results.
- Choose thick-cut bacon for maximum flavor and crispy texture that enhances the overall dish’s richness.
- For low-carb variations, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use cauliflower instead of traditional cream base.
- Fresh spinach delivers superior taste and texture compared to frozen, guaranteeing a vibrant and authentic creamy spinach experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 486
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 947 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg