When comfort food cravings hit, nothing satisfies quite like juicy chicken smothered in a creamy, flavorful sauce. This Smothered Chicken with Creamed Spinach recipe is the perfect blend of hearty and wholesome — golden-seared chicken breasts nestled in a silky parmesan cream sauce, with tender spinach adding a burst of freshness.
It’s the kind of dish that looks impressive enough for guests but comes together easily on a busy weeknight. Pair it with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up every drop of that luscious sauce.
🥘 Smothered Chicken with Creamed Spinach Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups fresh spinach (packed)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat
Instructions
- Season & Sear the Chicken
- Pat chicken breasts dry and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side, until golden brown and nearly cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Make the Creamed Spinach
-
- In the same skillet, melt butter. Sauté onion until softened, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in fresh spinach and cook until wilted.
- Create the Sauce
- Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine.
- Add Parmesan cheese and let the sauce simmer until thickened (about 3–4 minutes).
- Smother the Chicken
- Return chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon sauce over the top, and reduce heat to low.
- Simmer for 5–7 minutes, until chicken is fully cooked and infused with flavor.
- Serve & Enjoy
- Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan or red pepper flakes if desired.
Tips for the Best Smothered Chicken
- Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness for quicker, more even cooking.
- For extra richness, add a splash of white wine before the cream.
- Use baby spinach for tender greens that melt perfectly into the sauce.
- If you prefer darker meat, swap chicken breasts for chicken thighs.
Serving Ideas
- With Mashed Potatoes: Classic pairing that soaks up the creamy sauce.
- Over Pasta: Fettuccine or penne make it feel like an Italian-inspired dinner.
- Low-Carb Option: Serve with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
- Crusty Bread: Perfect for mopping up every last bit of sauce.