Ingredients

Chicken:

1 tablespoon butter
1.5 lb chicken breast skinless, boneless (4 small chicken breast or 2 large chicken breast, halved)
salt
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

How To Make Smothered Chicken with Creamed Spinach, Bacon And Mushrooms

Preheat the oven to 375 F.

Butter the bottom of the baking dish (I used an oval casserole dish measured 13 inches x 9 inches x 4 inches deep).

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:

In the mean time, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Add spinach and cook for only 1 or 2 minutes, covered, until the spinach is thoroughly heated through and start to wilt. Remove from heat. Add minced garlic and half and half. Bring to boil. Add shredded mozzarella cheese and keep stirring, on high heat, until 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 or 1 more minute. Season with salt to your taste. Remove from heat.

Cook mushrooms:

In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Add sliced mushrooms and cook on high-medium heat for 1-2 minutes until mushroom caramelize. Do not salt mushrooms or it will prevent the caramelization.

Smothered chicken assembly:

Remove the chicken breasts from the oven (you baked them for 15-20 minutes). Top each chicken breast with the creamed spinach, chopped cooked bacon, cooked mushrooms and broken slices of pepper jack cheese. Bake in the oven, uncovered for 15-20 more minutes, until 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.

Here’s the nutritional information for the Smothered Chicken with Creamed Spinach, Bacon, and Mushrooms recipe:

1. Chicken:
– Chicken breast is a lean source of protein.
– The recipe calls for 1.5 lbs of chicken breast, which is approximately 24 ounces.
– Each ounce of cooked chicken breast provides about 7 grams of protein.
– Total protein from chicken: 24 ounces x 7 grams/ounce = 168 grams of protein.

2. Spinach:
– Spinach is low in calories and rich in nutrients, including vitamins A and K.
– The recipe calls for 10 ounces of fresh spinach.
– Spinach also provides a small amount of protein.
– Total protein from spinach: Varies, but approximately 2-3 grams.

3. Mozzarella Cheese:
– Mozzarella cheese adds creaminess and protein to the dish.
– The recipe calls for 2/3 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, which is approximately 80 grams.
– Mozzarella cheese typically contains about 7 grams of protein per ounce.
– Total protein from mozzarella cheese: Approximately 14 grams.

4. Bacon:
– Bacon contributes flavor and protein to the dish.
– The recipe calls for 4 slices of cooked bacon, chopped.
– Bacon varies in its protein content depending on the type and brand.
– Total protein from bacon: Varies, but approximately 12-16 grams.

5. Mushrooms:
– Mushrooms add texture and flavor to the dish.
– The recipe calls for 4 ounces of sliced mushrooms.
– Mushrooms provide a small amount of protein.
– Total protein from mushrooms: Approximately 2-3 grams.

6. Pepper Jack Cheese:
– Pepper Jack cheese adds spiciness and protein to the dish.
– The recipe calls for 4 slices of Pepper Jack cheese.
– Pepper Jack cheese typically contains about 7 grams of protein per ounce.
– Total protein from Pepper Jack cheese: Approximately 28 grams.

Total protein in the recipe: Chicken (168g) + Spinach (2-3g) + Mozzarella Cheese (14g) + Bacon (12-16g) + Mushrooms (2-3g) + Pepper Jack Cheese (28g) = Approximately 226-232 grams of protein.

Calories and fat content:
– The calorie and fat content will vary based on factors such as the type of bacon used (regular or turkey bacon), the fat content of the cheese, and the amount of oil used for cooking.
– The dish is likely to be relatively high in calories due to the cheese, bacon, and oil used.
– The creamed spinach adds richness to the dish, contributing to its calorie content.
– To reduce the calorie and fat content, consider using leaner cuts of bacon and cheese with lower fat content, and reducing the amount of oil used for cooking.

Overall, this dish is rich in protein and flavor, but moderation is key due to its potential calorie and fat content.