Description
This Smothered Baked Chicken recipe features juicy boneless, skinless chicken breasts seared to golden perfection and baked in a creamy sauce made with fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. Topped with Parmesan cheese, this comforting and flavorful dish is perfect for a hearty dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken in the creamy sauce.
- Season Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear each side for 4-5 minutes until they turn golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until it becomes fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Tomatoes and Cream: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to combine the flavors and slightly thicken the sauce.
- Wilt Spinach and Add Herbs: Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until wilted. Mix in dried basil, thyme, and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the creamed spinach sauce evenly over each piece.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven carefully and serve the chicken breasts smothered with the creamy spinach and sun-dried tomato sauce.
Notes
- Use an oven-safe skillet such as cast iron to easily transfer from stovetop to oven.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or use a low-fat cream alternative.
- Feel free to add a splash of white wine to the sauce for added depth of flavor.
- Ensure chicken is fully cooked by checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
- Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
