Smothered Chicken with Creamed Spinach, Bacon, and Mushrooms
Juicy chicken breasts smothered in a creamy sauce with sauteed mushrooms, crispy bacon, and tender spinach. Perfect for a satisfying dinner!
Total time
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Skill Level: Medium
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 slices bacon, chopped
8 oz (225g) mushrooms, sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups fresh spinach
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp dried thyme or fresh if available
Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
1. Cook Bacon:
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving bacon fat in the pan.
2. Cook Chicken:
Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
Add olive oil to the skillet with bacon fat.
Sear chicken breasts 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and keep warm.
3. Sauté Mushrooms & Garlic:
In the same skillet, add mushrooms and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
4. Add Spinach:
Add spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
5. Make Cream Sauce:
Pour in heavy cream, stirring to combine.
Add Parmesan cheese, thyme, and cooked bacon.
Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
6. Combine & Serve:
Return chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon sauce over them, and heat for 2 minutes.
Serve warm, spooning extra sauce on top.
Notes & Tips
Chicken options: Use thighs for more juiciness, adjust cooking time accordingly.
Make it lighter: Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or use Greek yogurt (add at the end to avoid curdling).
Add carbs: Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles to soak up the sauce.
Frequently asked questions FAQs
Q: Can I prepare this ahead?
A: Yes, cook chicken and sauce separately, combine when reheating to keep chicken tender.
Q: Can I freeze leftovers?
A: Yes, but cream sauces may separate on reheating. Stir well and reheat gently.
Q: Can I use frozen spinach?
A: Yes, thaw and drain thoroughly before adding to the sauce.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 550
Protein: 45g
Fat: 35g
Carbohydrates: 6g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 700mg