Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If they’re uneven in thickness, pound them to an even ¾-inch thickness for uniform cooking. Season both sides generously with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes while you prep the other ingredients.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate. Don’t worry if the pan has some browned bits – that’s flavor!
Step 3: Cook the Bacon In the same skillet over medium heat, add the chopped bacon. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan.
Step 4: Sauté the Mushrooms Add the sliced mushrooms to the bacon fat and cook for 5-6 minutes until they release their moisture and turn golden brown. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. The mushrooms should be tender and caramelized.
Step 5: Create the Cream Sauce Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the Italian seasoning and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in half of the mozzarella and all of the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
Step 6: Add the Spinach Add the fresh spinach to the sauce and stir until it wilts down, about 2 minutes. The spinach will reduce significantly in volume. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste, then stir in most of the crispy bacon, reserving some for garnish.
Step 7: Assemble and Finish Preheat your broiler to high. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce. Spoon some sauce over each piece of chicken, then top with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Place the skillet under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
Step 8: Serve Remove from the oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes. Garnish with the reserved crispy bacon and fresh cracked black pepper.
Serving Suggestions
This rich, creamy dish pairs wonderfully with simple sides that won’t compete with the bold flavors. Serve alongside roasted potatoes, garlic mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, or buttered egg noodles. A simple side salad with vinaigrette helps cut through the richness. Crusty bread is perfect for soaking up every drop of that incredible sauce.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a covered skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or broth if the sauce has thickened too much. This dish doesn’t freeze well due to the cream sauce.
Pro Tips
For extra flavor, use baby bella or cremini mushrooms instead of white button mushrooms. If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer everything to a baking dish before broiling. To make it lighter, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, though the sauce won’t be quite as rich. Fresh spinach works best, but you can use thawed frozen spinach – just squeeze out all excess water first.
