Craving a comforting, savory dish? This Baked Chicken with Creamed Spinach, Bacon, and Mushrooms is perfect for family dinners or a special night in. Juicy chicken breasts are topped with creamy spinach, crispy bacon, caramelized mushrooms, and melted Pepper Jack cheese for an unforgettable meal.
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1.5 lbs skinless, boneless chicken breasts (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
Other Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 4 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
- 4 slices Pepper Jack or Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeños
Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prep:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grease the bottom of a baking dish (approximately 13″x9″x4″ in size) with butter.
- Season the chicken breasts generously with salt, lemon pepper seasoning, and paprika on both sides.
2. Bake the Chicken:
- Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the greased baking dish, flat side down.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until nearly cooked through.
3. Make the Creamed Spinach:
- While the chicken is baking, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the fresh spinach and cover, cooking for 1-2 minutes until it wilts.
- Remove from heat and stir in the minced garlic and half-and-half. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Add the shredded mozzarella cheese, stirring on high heat until the cheese melts and the mixture becomes creamy (about 30 seconds to 1 minute).
- Reduce the heat to low and continue stirring until smooth. Season with salt to taste.
