Description
Hearty Smothered Chicken with Creamed Spinach delivers Southern comfort on a plate. Louisiana home cooks craft this rich skillet classic with tender chicken and velvety spinach sauce for a satisfying meal you’ll crave repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 cups fresh spinach (chopped)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml/8 fl oz)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (50 g/1.75 oz, grated)
- Additional Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp nutmeg (optional)
- Chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Pat chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels to create an ideal surface for seasoning absorption.
- Seasoning: Generously coat chicken with a harmonious blend of garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, ensuring even coverage on both sides.
- Searing: Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat until it reaches a glistening point, then carefully place seasoned chicken breasts to develop a golden-brown crust.
- Cooking: Sear chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, achieving a rich caramelized exterior while monitoring internal temperature to reach 165°F/74°C for safe consumption.
- Resting: Transfer perfectly cooked chicken to a serving platter, allowing juices to redistribute and meat to reach optimal tenderness.
- Sauce Preparation: Utilize the skillet’s flavorful fond as a base for creating a luxurious cream sauce, incorporating spinach, heavy cream, and seasonings to complement the chicken.
- Finishing: Gently nestle the seared chicken into the creamy spinach sauce, ensuring each piece is lavishly coated and heated through before serving.
Notes
- Precise Chicken Drying: Pat chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels to maximize seasoning absorption and achieve a perfect golden-brown crust.
- Strategic Seasoning Technique: Create a balanced spice blend by coating chicken evenly, ensuring each inch captures maximum flavor intensity.
- Skillet Heat Management: Use a heavy-bottomed pan and maintain medium heat to prevent burning while developing a beautiful caramelized exterior.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F/74°C, guaranteeing both safety and juicy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg