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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Gently fold fresh spinach leaves into the skillet, allowing them to wilt naturally without losing their vibrant green color or nutritional integrity.
- 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