Smothered Chicken with Creamed Spinach, Bacon and Mushrooms (Print version)

Juicy chicken breasts baked under creamed spinach, browned mushrooms, crisp bacon, and melty Monterey Jack cheese.

# Ingredients:

For the chicken

01 - 1 1/2 lb (680 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into 4 cutlets if large
02 - 1 tablespoon melted butter, plus more for the baking dish
03 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
04 - 1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
05 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the spinach, bacon, and mushrooms

07 - 4 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
08 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil, divided
09 - 10 oz (285 g) fresh spinach
10 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 2/3 cup (160 ml) half-and-half
12 - 2/3 cup (75 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
13 - 4 oz (115 g) mushrooms, sliced
14 - 4 slices Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese
15 - Chopped parsley, for serving

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly butter a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Pat the chicken dry. Brush with melted butter and season both sides with paprika, lemon pepper, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Arrange the chicken in the baking dish and bake for 18-20 minutes, until mostly cooked through but not yet topped.
04 - Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add spinach and cook until wilted, then cook off excess liquid. Stir in garlic for 30 seconds, add half-and-half, then melt in mozzarella until thick. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
05 - In a separate skillet or the same wiped skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and tender.
06 - Spoon creamed spinach over each piece of chicken. Top with bacon, mushrooms, and a slice of Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese.
07 - Return to the oven for 10-12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the chicken reaches 165°F in the thickest part. Broil for 1-2 minutes for browned cheese if desired.

# Good to know:

01 - Best served hot while the cheese is melted and the spinach topping is creamy.
02 - Slice thick chicken breasts into cutlets for more even cooking.
03 - Nutrition is an estimate per serving.

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