Ingredients:
**Chicken:**
– 1 tablespoon butter
– 1.5 lb chicken breast, skinless, boneless (4 small chicken breasts or 2 large chicken breasts, halved)
– Salt, to taste
– ¼ teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
– ¼ teaspoon paprika
**Creamed Spinach:**
– 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
– 10 oz fresh spinach
– 4 garlic cloves, minced
– ⅔ cup half and half
– ⅔ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
**Other Ingredients:**
– 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
– 4 oz mushrooms, sliced
– Four slices bacon, cooked, chopped
– 4 slices Pepper Jack cheese or Monterey Jack Cheese with Jalapenos
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Butter the bottom of the baking dish (an oval casserole dish measuring 13 inches x 9 inches x 4 inches deep was used).
3. Generously season chicken breasts on both sides with salt, lemon pepper seasoning, and a small amount of paprika. Place the chicken breasts, flat side down, into the greased baking dish and bake for 15-20 minutes at 375°F.
How to Make Creamed Spinach:
4. In the meantime, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes, covered, until the spinach is thoroughly heated through and starts to wilt. Remove from heat.
5. Add minced garlic and half and half. Bring to a boil. Add shredded mozzarella cheese and stir on high heat until the mozzarella cheese starts to melt (about 30 seconds). Reduce heat to simmer and keep stirring until you have a nice, smooth creamed spinach (about 30 seconds to 1 more minute). Season with salt to your taste. Remove from heat.
Cook Mushrooms:
6. In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Add sliced mushrooms and cook on high-medium heat for 1-2 minutes until mushrooms caramelize. Do not salt the mushrooms as it will prevent caramelization.
**Smothered Chicken Assembly:**
7. Remove the chicken breasts from the oven after baking for 15-20 minutes. Top each chicken breast with creamed spinach, chopped cooked bacon, cooked mushrooms, and broken slices of pepper jack cheese.
8. Bake in the oven, uncovered, for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through, no longer pink in the center, and the juices run clear. Broil for the last 2-4 minutes if desired, being careful not to burn the cheese on top.
The result? A Bacon and Spinach Smothered Chicken that’s not only visually appealing but a symphony of flavors—tender chicken, creamy spinach, smoky bacon, and the kick of pepper jack cheese. Serve this delightful dish to impress your guests or simply savor the satisfaction of a homemade, restaurant-quality meal.