Description
Smothered chicken with creamed spinach brings comfort straight to your dinner table, packed with crispy bacon and earthy mushrooms that make this classic dish totally irresistible. Hearty protein meets rich, creamy greens in a skillet that delivers pure satisfaction from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
Seasonings and Flavors:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ cup onion, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Creamy Components:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Coat chicken breasts with ½ teaspoon each of garlic and onion powder, plus salt and pepper. Sear at medium heat (375°F) for 5-7 minutes per side until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer chicken to a plate after cooking. Keep skillet hot and add 4 chopped bacon slices, cooking 3-4 minutes until crispy and rendering fat.
- Remove bacon pieces, leaving drippings in pan. Toss ½ cup diced onions and 8 oz sliced mushrooms into skillet, sautéing 5 minutes until softened and lightly caramelized.
- Add 2 cups chopped spinach to skillet, stirring 2-3 minutes until leaves wilt and reduce in volume.
- Pour 1 cup heavy cream and sprinkle ¼ cup Parmesan cheese into vegetable mixture. Simmer 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Return chicken to skillet, nestling pieces into creamy spinach mixture. Warm everything together for 2 minutes at medium heat.
- Optionally garnish with 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately while sauce remains hot and creamy.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for more flavor and tenderness, as they stay juicier during cooking.
- Select fresh baby spinach for the best texture and vibrant green color in the creamed spinach component.
- Consider reducing heavy cream with low-fat alternatives like half-and-half or Greek yogurt for a lighter version of the dish.
- For added depth, deglaze the skillet with a splash of white wine after cooking bacon and before adding vegetables to capture more rich pan flavors.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 24-29 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 414 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg