Name: Smothered Chicken with Creamed Spinach, Bacon & Mushrooms
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon butter; 1.5 lb chicken breast (skinless, boneless; 4 small or 2 large halved); Salt, to taste; ¼ teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning; ¼ teaspoon paprika; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 10 oz fresh spinach; 4 garlic cloves, minced; ⅔ cup half and half; ⅔ cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 4 oz mushrooms, sliced; 4 slices bacon, cooked and chopped; 4 slices Pepper Jack cheese (or Monterey Jack with jalapeños)

Description

This hearty Mediterranean-style recipe features juicy baked chicken breasts smothered in rich creamed spinach, savory bacon, caramelized mushrooms, and melted Pepper Jack cheese. It’s easy, low in carbs, gluten-free, and packed with protein and vegetables.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

1 tablespoon butter
1.5 lb chicken breast (skinless, boneless; 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

For the Mushrooms & Toppings:

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

Instructions

1. Bake the Chicken:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Butter a baking dish (13″x9″).
Season chicken breasts with salt, lemon pepper, and paprika.
Place in the baking dish, flat side down.
Bake for 15–20 minutes.

2. Make the Creamed Spinach:

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Add spinach and cook, covered, for 1–2 minutes until wilted.
Add garlic and half and half. Bring to a boil.
Stir in mozzarella and cook over high heat, stirring until melted and smooth (1–2 minutes).
Season with salt to taste and remove from heat.

3. Cook the Mushrooms:

In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat.
Add mushrooms and sauté for 1–2 minutes until caramelized.
Do not salt the mushrooms to allow proper browning.

4. Assemble and Finish Baking:

Remove chicken from oven.
Top each breast with creamed spinach, bacon, mushrooms, and a slice of Pepper Jack cheese.
Return to oven, uncovered, and bake for another 15–20 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and cheese is melted.
Optional: Broil for 2–4 minutes to brown the cheese (watch closely to avoid burning).

Notes

Use fresh spinach for best results, but frozen spinach (thawed and drained) can be substituted.
Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeños gives a subtle kick. Use plain mozzarella or cheddar for a milder dish.

Broiling adds a nice finish, but keep a close eye to avoid over-browning.