Smothered Chicken with Creamed Spinach, Bacon and Mushrooms

 

 This is one delicious meal that your family will beg you to make again and again.

 

Chicken:

1 tablespoon butter

1.5 lb chicken breast skinless, boneless

Salt just a pinch

¼ teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning

¼ teaspoon paprika

 

Creamed spinach:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

10 oz spinach fresh

4 garlic cloves minced

⅔ cup half and half

⅔ cup mozzarella cheese shredded

 

Other Ingredients:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

4 oz mushrooms sliced

4 slices bacon cooked, chopped

4 slices Pepper Jack cheese or Monterey Jack Cheese with Jalapenos

 

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Butter the baking dish's bottom  to an oval casserole dish measured 13 inches x 9 inches x 4 inches deep

Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt, lemon pepper spice, and a pinch of paprika. Place the chicken breasts, flat side down, in a greased baking dish and bake at 375 F for 15-20 minutes. In the meantime, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat to prepare creamed spinach. Cook for 1 or 2 minutes, covered until the spinach is well cooked through and begins to wilt. Take the pan off the heat. Mix in the minced garlic and half & half. Bring the water to a boil. Stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese for approximately 30 seconds on high heat, or until the cheese begins to melt. Reduce the heat to a simmer and continue to whisk until you have a lovely, smooth creamed spinach - approximately 30 seconds or 1 minute longer. Season to taste with salt. Take the pan off the heat. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, heated in a separate pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until the mushrooms, caramelize, over high-medium heat. If you salt the mushrooms, they will not caramelize. Remove the chicken breasts from the oven and set aside (you baked them for 15-20 minutes). Top each chicken breast with creamed spinach, chopped cooked bacon, sauteed mushrooms, and pepper jack cheese slices.

Cook for another 15-20 minutes, uncovered until the chicken is cooked through, no longer pink in the middle, and the juices run clear.

If preferred, broil for the final 2-4 minutes, taking caution not to burn the cheese on top.