Description
This rich and creamy smothered chicken recipe features tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts cooked to perfection and smothered in a luscious sauce made with crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, fresh spinach, garlic, heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese. A flavorful Italian seasoning adds a delightful herbaceous note. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this dish is both hearty and elegant.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Bacon and Vegetables
- 6 slices of bacon, diced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides to enhance their flavor before cooking.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 6-8 minutes per side until golden brown and thoroughly cooked. Once done, remove the chicken and place it on a plate to rest.
- Cook the bacon: Using the same skillet, add the diced bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess fat.
- Sauté mushrooms and garlic: Add sliced mushrooms to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes until tender and browned. Add the minced garlic during the last minute to release its aroma.
- Prepare the sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring well to combine. Add Italian seasoning and simmer the mixture for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Add spinach and bacon: Stir in fresh spinach and allow it to wilt in the sauce for approximately 2 minutes. Return the cooked bacon to the skillet and combine thoroughly.
- Finish cooking the chicken in sauce: Place the chicken breasts back into the skillet, spooning sauce, mushrooms, and spinach over them. Let everything simmer together for an additional 3-4 minutes to meld flavors.
- Add Parmesan cheese: Sprinkle grated Parmesan over the dish and allow it to melt into the sauce, adding richness. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve hot, pairing with your favorite side dish such as mashed potatoes or rice.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier result.
- To make it dairy-free, substitute Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
- Adjust the amount of garlic and Italian seasoning based on personal preference.
