Smothered Chicken with Creamed Spinach, Bacon & Mushrooms

Total Time: 1 hour
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4

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

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.

Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: 611 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Protein: 54 g
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 185 mg
• Sodium: 709 mg
• Potassium: 1259 mg
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: 1 g
• Vitamin A: 7,330 IU
• Vitamin C: 23.8 mg
• Calcium: 430 mg
• Iron: 3.1 mg

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