Smothered Chicken with Creamed Spinach, Bacon, and Mushrooms: A Hearty Comfort Food Recipe

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1.5 lb skinless, boneless chicken breasts (4 small or 2 large halved)
• Salt to taste
• ¼ teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon paprika

For the Creamed Spinach:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 10 oz fresh spinach
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• ⅔ cup half and half
• ⅔ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Other Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 oz sliced mushrooms
• 4 slices cooked bacon, chopped
• 4 slices Pepper Jack or Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeños

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease the bottom of a baking dish (approximately 13x9x4 inches). Season the chicken breasts generously on both sides with salt, lemon pepper seasoning, and a pinch of paprika. Place the chicken breasts flat side down in the prepared dish and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Prepare the Creamed Spinach:

While the chicken bakes, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the fresh spinach, cover, and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat, stir in minced garlic and half and half, then bring to a boil. Add shredded mozzarella cheese and stir continuously until melted (about 30 seconds). Reduce heat to a simmer and continue stirring until smooth (about 1 minute). Season with salt to taste and set aside.

Cook the Mushrooms:

In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add sliced mushrooms and cook for 1-2 minutes until caramelized. Avoid salting to ensure proper caramelization.

Assemble and Finish:

Remove the partially baked chicken from the oven. Top each breast with creamed spinach, chopped bacon, caramelized mushrooms, and a slice of Pepper Jack cheese. Return to the oven, uncovered, for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and juices run clear. Broil for the last 2-4 minutes for a golden crust, watching carefully to avoid burning the cheese. Serve hot and enjoy this decadent, flavor-packed meal!