Easy Smothered Chicken With Creamed Spinach, Bacon, & Mushrooms Recipe

Smothered chicken with creamed spinach dances on the borderline between comfort food and gourmet cuisine, promising an unforgettable dining experience.

Southern-inspired cooking rarely gets more decadent than this luxurious meal that converts humble ingredients into something extraordinary.

Layers of flavor unfold with each carefully prepared component, blending seamlessly into a harmonious culinary symphony.

Crispy bacon introduces smoky depth while mushrooms contribute an earthy complexity that elevates the entire dish.

Silky creamed spinach serves as a velvety backdrop, creating a luscious foundation for perfectly cooked chicken.

Textures and tastes intermingle, promising a meal that feels simultaneously familiar and elegant.

Prepare to fall in love with a recipe that turns an ordinary dinner into a celebration of bold, rich flavors.

What to Serve with Smothered Chicken for a Flavor Boost

• Harmonize with Crisp White Wine: Pair this rich, creamy chicken dish with a chilled Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. The wine's bright acidity cuts through the heaviness of the cream sauce, creating a balanced flavor experience.
• Complement with Roasted Vegetable Medley: Serve alongside roasted asparagus, carrots, or brussels sprouts. These caramelized vegetables add a lovely textural contrast and bring additional depth to the meal's overall flavor profile.
• Match with Rustic Bread Accompaniment: Choose a crusty sourdough or herb-infused focaccia to soak up the decadent cream sauce. The bread's hearty texture and slight tang perfectly complement the savory chicken and mushroom mixture.
• Enhance with Light Herbal Salad: Create a fresh mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the dish's richness. Incorporate herbs like parsley or chives to echo the dish's subtle flavor notes and provide a refreshing counterpoint.

New Ways to Rethink Smothered Chicken Night

• Herb-Infused Chicken Extravaganza: Replace garlic powder with fresh thyme, rosemary, and parsley for an aromatic herbal version that brings garden-fresh flavors to the classic recipe.
• Mediterranean Fusion Feast: Swap balsamic vinegar with white wine, add kalamata olives, and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired transformation that elevates the entire dish.
• Spicy Southwestern Remix: Incorporate diced green chiles, swap heavy cream for sour cream, and dust chicken with chili powder and cumin to create a zesty southwestern-style smothered chicken with a kick.
• Low-Carb Keto Makeover: Replace flour coating with almond flour, use cauliflower rice instead of pasta, and double the mushrooms for a protein-packed, low-carbohydrate friendly alternative that doesn't compromise on flavor.

Why Everyone’s Loving Smothered Chicken with Spinach, Bacon & Mushrooms

• Indulge in Rich Flavor Layers: This recipe builds incredible depth by using bacon fat, balsamic vinegar, and chicken broth to create a complex, mouthwatering sauce that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal.
• Quick and Satisfying Weeknight Comfort: Perfectly designed for busy home cooks, this dish comes together in under 30 minutes while delivering maximum flavor and protein-packed nutrition that feels like a gourmet experience.
• Versatile One-Pan Cooking Wonder: By utilizing the same skillet throughout the cooking process, this recipe minimizes cleanup while maximizing flavor development, allowing each ingredient to contribute its unique taste and texture to the final masterpiece.
• Nutrition-Packed Protein Powerhouse: Loaded with high-quality protein from chicken, enriched with nutrients from spinach, and balanced with creamy elements, this dish offers a well-rounded meal that satisfies hunger and provides substantial nutritional value.

Ingredients That Build Big Flavor in Smothered Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Tender, lean meat that serves as the main protein, best when fresh and without visible fat.
• Bacon: Provides rich, smoky flavor and crispy texture, opt for thick-cut varieties for maximum taste.

• Garlic Powder: Adds subtle, aromatic flavor to the chicken without raw garlic intensity.
• Black Pepper: Brings a mild heat and enhances overall seasoning profile.
• All-Purpose Flour: Light coating that helps create a golden brown exterior on chicken.

• Chicken Broth: Creates a flavorful liquid base for the sauce, use low-sodium for better control.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Adds depth and tangy complexity to the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Provides rich, luxurious texture and helps thicken the sauce.
• Olive Oil: Prevents sticking and adds subtle fruity undertones.
• Fresh Spinach: Adds vibrant color, nutrients, and fresh flavor to the dish.
• Mushrooms: Earthy, meaty addition that absorbs surrounding flavors beautifully.

How to Cook Smothered Chicken with Creamed Spinach and More

Step 1: Crisp Up Bacon

Sizzle bacon pieces in a deep skillet over medium-high heat until perfectly crispy. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a plate, keeping about of fat in the pan.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken

• Garlic powder
• Black pepper

Lightly dust chicken with flour for a delicate coating.

Step 3: Cook Chicken to Golden Perfection

Utilize the bacon-infused skillet to cook chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and completely cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.

Step 4: Sauté Mushrooms

Add olive oil if needed. Sauté mushrooms for 6-8 minutes until beautifully browned and moisture has disappeared. Remove from skillet.

Step 5: Create Flavor Base

Pour chicken broth and balsamic vinegar into the hot skillet. Scrape up delicious browned bits from the bottom. Simmer until liquid reduces by half, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Develop Creamy Sauce

Stir in heavy cream and cook for 1-2 minutes until sauce begins to thicken slightly.

Step 7: Combine All Ingredients

Return chicken, bacon, and mushrooms to the skillet. Let everything simmer in the rich sauce for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.

Step 8: Add Fresh Spinach

Gently fold fresh spinach into the skillet, stirring to help it wilt evenly without losing its vibrant texture.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

• Fettuccine
• Mashed potatoes
• Crusty bread

Savor the incredible combination of creamy, savory flavors!

Tips for Nailing Smothered Chicken with Spinach and Bacon

• Slice Chicken Evenly: Cut chicken breasts horizontally to ensure uniform thickness, promoting consistent cooking and preventing dry or undercooked sections.
• Master Fat Management: Retain bacon drippings strategically for building deep, rich flavor layers while controlling excess grease in the pan.
• Control Mushroom Moisture: Sauté mushrooms over medium-high heat, allowing complete liquid evaporation to achieve perfect caramelized, golden-brown edges.
• Balance Sauce Consistency: Reduce liquid gradually and stir constantly when adding cream to prevent separation and create a smooth, silky sauce texture.
• Wilt Spinach Perfectly: Add fresh spinach at the last moment, gently folding to maintain vibrant color and prevent overcooking, preserving its delicate nutrients and tender structure.

Keeping Smothered Chicken Creamy & Crispy the Next Day

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftover smothered chicken to an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the chicken and sauce together to maintain moisture and flavor.
• Freeze: Carefully place cooled chicken in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen smothered chicken will stay delicious for up to 2 months when properly sealed.
• Reheat: Warm refrigerated or thawed chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Gently stir and cover with a lid, heating for 5-7 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Smothered Chicken With Creamed Spinach, Bacon, & Mushrooms Recipe

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Southern comfort meets gourmet elegance in this Smothered Chicken with Creamed Spinach, Bacon, and Mushrooms. Rich, savory flavors blend perfectly, creating a hearty dish that invites you to savor each delectable bite of creamy, smoky goodness.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 2 large chicken breasts (cut in half lengthwise)
• 6 strips bacon (cut into small pieces)
• 8 ounces (227 grams) cremini mushrooms (sliced)

Dairy and Cream:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream (or whipping cream)
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Herbs, Seasonings, and Liquids:

• 2 cups (60 grams) fresh baby spinach (loosely packed)
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• pepper (to taste)
• flour (for dredging)

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Instructions

1. Render bacon pieces in a deep skillet over medium-high heat until achieving a crisp, golden texture. Extract the bacon using a slotted spoon, preserving approximately of rendered fat in the pan.
2. Butterfly each chicken breast horizontally to create four thinner cutlets. Generously season the meat with garlic powder and freshly ground black pepper, then delicately dust with all-purpose flour for a light coating.
3. Utilize the remaining bacon fat to sear chicken cutlets, cooking for 4-5 minutes per side until achieving a rich golden-brown exterior and ensuring internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate.
4. Add an extra tablespoon (15 milliliters) of olive oil to the skillet if needed. Sauté sliced mushrooms for 6-8 minutes, allowing them to caramelize and release their moisture, creating a deep, robust flavor profile.
5. Deglaze the skillet by pouring chicken broth and balsamic vinegar, carefully scraping accumulated fond from the bottom. Reduce the liquid by approximately 50% over 2-3 minutes to concentrate flavors.
6. Slowly incorporate heavy cream into the reduced liquid, stirring continuously. Simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens and develops a luxurious consistency.
7. Reintroduce chicken cutlets, bacon fragments, and sautéed mushrooms into the creamy sauce. Allow everything to meld together during a gentle 5-minute simmer, ensuring each component absorbs the rich, complex flavors.
8. Gently fold fresh spinach leaves into the skillet, allowing them to wilt naturally without losing their vibrant green color or nutritional integrity.
9. Present this decadent dish alongside classic accompaniments like fettuccine pasta, creamy mashed potatoes, or rustic crusty bread to soak up the sumptuous sauce.

Notes

• Bacon’s crispy crackle sets the stage for a flavor-packed culinary adventure that transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary meal.
• Carefully sliced chicken breasts create uniform pieces, ensuring each bite delivers consistent seasoning and perfectly even cooking.
• Mushrooms develop deep caramelized edges, releasing concentrated earthy flavors that complement the rich, creamy sauce.
• Balsamic vinegar and chicken broth combine to deglaze the pan, capturing every delicious browned bit from the skillet’s bottom.
• Heavy cream melts into a luxurious sauce, binding together tender chicken, smoky bacon, and silky spinach in one harmonious dish.
• Fresh spinach wilts gently, adding vibrant color and nutritious green notes to this indulgent comfort food masterpiece.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 700 kcal
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 54g
• Saturated Fat: 25g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24g
• Trans Fat: 0.5g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 34g
• Cholesterol: 150mg