Description
This Smothered Baked Chicken with Creamed Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes is a deliciously creamy and savory dish featuring tender baked chicken breasts topped with a rich sauce made from sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this recipe combines simple ingredients to create a flavorful meal that’s both satisfying and elegant.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce and Creamed Spinach
- 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 the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for finishing the chicken in the oven.
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly 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 cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside to retain juices.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant to build the base flavor for the sauce.
- Simmer Sauce: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Let the mixture simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to combine flavors and slightly thicken the sauce.
- Add Spinach and Herbs: Add the fresh spinach and cook for 3-4 minutes until wilted. Stir in dried basil, dried thyme, and grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy, creating the signature creamed spinach component.
- Assemble: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the creamed spinach and tomato sauce over each piece to coat them evenly.
- Bake: Transfer the oven-safe skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), ensuring it is fully cooked and tender.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the chicken breasts topped with the creamy spinach and sun-dried tomato sauce immediately for a warm and comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh basil and thyme for dried if preferred, just use about three times the amount.
- Ensure the skillet used is oven-safe to safely transfer from stovetop to oven.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness of chicken for food safety.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a cashew cream alternative.
- The sun-dried tomatoes can be packed in oil or dry; if dry, consider soaking them in warm water first for softer texture.
