Description
This Smothered Baked Chicken with Creamed Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes is a flavorful and wholesome dinner perfect for a comforting meal. Tender baked chicken breasts are topped with a rich and creamy spinach mixture, sun-dried tomatoes, and melted mozzarella cheese, making it a delightful low-carb, gluten-free dish that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Creamed Spinach
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Topping
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Chicken: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a baking dish. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and rub each with olive oil. Season evenly with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Arrange the chicken breasts in the baking dish, making sure they’re spaced out evenly.
- Bake Chicken: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes to allow the chicken to begin cooking and develop flavor.
- Make Creamed Spinach: While the chicken bakes, melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the chopped fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Continue cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly, then remove from heat.
- Add Toppings and Finish Baking: After the initial 20 minutes of baking, remove the chicken from the oven. Spoon the prepared creamed spinach evenly over each chicken breast. Then sprinkle the sun-dried tomatoes followed by shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the smothered chicken rest for 5 minutes outside the oven before serving. This helps the juices redistribute and keeps the chicken moist and flavorful.
Notes
- You can substitute thawed, well-drained frozen spinach for fresh spinach if preferred.
- For an extra depth of flavor, consider adding chopped artichoke hearts or a splash of white wine to the creamed spinach mixture.
- Make sure the chicken is cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F for safe eating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with toppings
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 44g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
