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Four whole smothered chicken portions with creamed spinach, bacon, mushrooms, and melted Pepper Jack

Smothered Chicken with Creamed Spinach, Bacon and Mushrooms

Chicken breasts baked with garlic creamed spinach, browned mushrooms, chopped bacon, and melted Pepper Jack cheese.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Equipment

  • 9×13-inch baking dish
  • Two skillets
  • Instant-read thermometer

Ingredients
  

Chicken

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

Creamed Spinach

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

Toppings

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

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly butter the bottom of a 9×13-inch or similar-sized baking dish.
  • Season the chicken. Pat the chicken breasts dry, then season both sides with salt, lemon pepper seasoning, and paprika.
    Raw chicken seasoned with paprika and lemon pepper in a buttered baking dish
  • Start baking the chicken. Arrange the chicken in the prepared baking dish in a single layer. Bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes while you prepare the toppings.
  • Wilt the spinach. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the fresh spinach, cover, and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes, just until wilted.
    Spinach wilted in a dark skillet before adding the cream sauce
  • Make the creamed spinach. Stir the minced garlic and half-and-half into the wilted spinach. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then add the shredded mozzarella.
  • Stir continuously until the mozzarella begins to melt. Reduce the heat to low and continue stirring for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the mixture is creamy and smooth. Season with salt to taste and remove from the heat.
    Creamed spinach with garlic and melted mozzarella in a skillet
  • Brown the mushrooms. Heat the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil in a separate skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until nicely browned and caramelized. Avoid salting them while they brown.
    Sliced mushrooms with browned edges in a separate skillet
  • Smother the chicken. Remove the partially cooked chicken from the oven. Spoon creamed spinach over each piece, followed by chopped bacon and sautéed mushrooms.
    Partially baked chicken topped with creamed spinach, bacon, and mushrooms
  • Add the cheese. Place a slice of Pepper Jack or Monterey Jack cheese over each chicken breast.
    Pepper Jack slices covering the chicken toppings before the final bake
  • Finish baking. Return the uncovered baking dish to the oven and cook for another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the thickest part of each chicken breast reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
    Close-up of melted cheese over smothered chicken with spinach, bacon, and mushrooms
  • Optional broiling. For extra browning, broil the chicken for the final 2 to 4 minutes. Watch it closely so the cheese doesn't burn.
  • Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving so the juices can redistribute and the creamy topping can settle slightly.
    One whole smothered chicken portion with creamy toppings on an ivory plate

Notes

Use chicken portions of similar thickness. Check the thickest part of each with an instant-read thermometer; the chicken is ready at 165°F (74°C). Mushroom browning may take longer than the short time listed depending on the pan and released moisture. Broiling is optional; watch the cheese closely.