What the heck is this?
If you love rich, creamy, and comforting dishes, then Smothered Chicken with Creamed Spinach is about to become your new favorite meal. Imagine juicy, perfectly cooked chicken breasts, smothered in a luscious, velvety creamed spinach sauce that’s packed with flavor. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel cozy and satisfied with every bite. The chicken is pan-seared to golden-brown perfection, and the creamy spinach adds a burst of richness and color to the plate. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this dish always delivers. Bonus? It’s easy to make and will impress anyone who’s lucky enough to try it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super creamy and flavorful — the creamed spinach sauce is everything.
- Quick and easy — you can have it ready in about 30 minutes.
- Comfort food at its finest, with a little bit of healthy spinach mixed in.
- Can be served with almost anything: mashed potatoes, rice, or even a side of crispy bread to scoop up all that sauce.
- A restaurant-quality dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or when you want to impress someone.
The Good Stuff You’ll Need
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt + pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
For the Creamed Spinach:
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups fresh spinach (or 2 cups frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup cream cheese (optional for extra creaminess)
- Salt + pepper to taste
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
Let’s Do This
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and the pan is hot, add the chicken breasts. Sear them for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Creamed Spinach
In the same skillet, melt another tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Add the spinach to the pan, stirring until it wilts (if using fresh spinach) or heats through (if using frozen spinach). If you’re using fresh spinach, it may look like a lot at first, but it wilts down significantly.
Step 3: Add the Creamy Goodness
Once the spinach is cooked down, pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and cream cheese (if using), and let it all melt together, creating a rich, creamy sauce. Stir in a pinch of nutmeg (if using) and season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for about 3-4 minutes until it thickens up.
Step 4: Smother the Chicken
Place the cooked chicken breasts back into the skillet, spooning the creamy spinach sauce over the top. Let everything simmer together for another 5 minutes to allow the chicken to absorb all that creamy goodness.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Once everything is well coated and hot, it’s time to serve! Spoon extra creamed spinach on the chicken and drizzle with the rich sauce. Serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, or a bed of sautéed vegetables for the ultimate comfort meal.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair it with mashed potatoes or creamy risotto for the ultimate comfort food experience.
- Serve with roasted vegetables like carrots, asparagus, or broccoli to add some color and texture to the meal.
- A slice of crusty bread would be perfect for soaking up all that creamy sauce.
Switch It Up
- Go for chicken thighs instead of breasts if you prefer dark meat and extra juiciness.
- Make it lighter by using half-and-half or coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
- Add some sautéed mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes to the creamed spinach for a unique twist.
- Want a little kick? Add some red pepper flakes to the creamed spinach for a spicy version.
Make-Ahead Tips
- The creamed spinach sauce can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just reheat it and cook the chicken fresh when ready to serve.
- You can also cook the chicken ahead of time, store it in the fridge, and quickly reheat it in the sauce when you’re ready to serve.
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: Can I use frozen spinach?
A: Yes! Just be sure to thaw and drain the frozen spinach well before adding it to the sauce to avoid excess moisture.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: You can use dairy-free alternatives such as coconut cream and vegan cheese, though the texture and flavor will be slightly different.
Q: Can I add other veggies to the creamed spinach?
A: Absolutely! Mushrooms, artichokes, or even a handful of peas can be great additions to the sauce.
Smothered Chicken with Creamed Spinach: Comfort Food at Its Finest
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
If you love rich, creamy, and comforting dishes, then Smothered Chicken with Creamed Spinach is about to become your new favorite meal. Imagine juicy, perfectly cooked chicken breasts, smothered in a luscious, velvety creamed spinach sauce that’s packed with flavor. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel cozy and satisfied with every bite. The chicken is pan-seared to golden-brown perfection, and the creamy spinach adds a burst of richness and color to the plate. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this dish always delivers. Bonus? It’s easy to make and will impress anyone who’s lucky enough to try it!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Salt + pepper to taste
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
For the Creamed Spinach:
1 tbsp butter
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups fresh spinach (or 2 cups frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup cream cheese (optional for extra creaminess)
Salt + pepper to taste
Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and the pan is hot, add the chicken breasts. Sear them for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Creamed Spinach
In the same skillet, melt another tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Add the spinach to the pan, stirring until it wilts (if using fresh spinach) or heats through (if using frozen spinach). If you’re using fresh spinach, it may look like a lot at first, but it wilts down significantly.
Step 3: Add the Creamy Goodness
Once the spinach is cooked down, pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and cream cheese (if using), and let it all melt together, creating a rich, creamy sauce. Stir in a pinch of nutmeg (if using) and season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for about 3-4 minutes until it thickens up.
Step 4: Smother the Chicken
Place the cooked chicken breasts back into the skillet, spooning the creamy spinach sauce over the top. Let everything simmer together for another 5 minutes to allow the chicken to absorb all that creamy goodness.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Once everything is well coated and hot, it’s time to serve! Spoon extra creamed spinach on the chicken and drizzle with the rich sauce. Serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, or a bed of sautéed vegetables for the ultimate comfort meal.
Notes
Pair it with mashed potatoes or creamy risotto for the ultimate comfort food experience.
Serve with roasted vegetables like carrots, asparagus, or broccoli to add some color and texture to the meal.
A slice of crusty bread would be perfect for soaking up all that creamy sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~420 kcal
- Fat: ~27g
- Carbohydrates: ~5g
- Protein: ~45g