Man-Pleasing Chicken is one of my husband's favorite chicken recipes. This easy dish goes from fridge to fork in 30 minutes!
Let it be known that I am a feminist through and through but the fact remains that Man-Pleasing Chicken is one of my husband’s very favorite meals so here we are.
Man, woman, or otherwise — y’all will devour this savory, hearty meal that goes from fridge to fork in just 30 minutes!
What’s Inside
Chicken breast cutlets are smothered in a mouthwatering mixture of sauted spinach, mushrooms, half and half, and parmesan cheese in this tasty, one-skillet supper. It’s then topped with bacon, of course, as you’d expect any husband-pleasing (or at least my husband) chicken to be!
As I said, this dish cooks in about 10 minutes and I like serving over pasta or prepared mashed potatoes, plus pairing it with an easy side dish like a fresh salad, Air Fryer Asparagus, or Baked Potatoes.
Everyone will lick their plates clean!
Start by browning 3 slices chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain then remove all but 1 teaspoon bacon grease from the skillet.
Turn the heat up to medium-high then season 4 chicken cutlets with salt and pepper, and saute for 3-4 minutes a side or until cooked through.
Slicing regular chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create cutlets not only lets them cook in half the time, but it essentially doubles your meat — it’s a great way to make chicken breasts go farther!
Next melt 1 Tablespoon butter in the skillet then add 1 chopped shallot and 8oz sliced mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper then saute until the mushrooms turn golden brown, 5-7 minutes.
Next, add 4 cups baby spinach, then allow them to wilt for about a minute.
Finally, add 1/2 cup half & half or heavy cream then let it simmer and thicken for about 1 minute. Finish by tossing in 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese then stir until combined.
I prefer fresh grated parm by the way, if you can swing it!
Plate the chicken then spoon the luscious spinach-mushroom-cream sauce over the top and finish with a sprinkling of crisp bacon, plus a crack of black pepper.
A bed of cooked pasta or prepared mashed potatoes is perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce, though serving it low carb as is, or with a side of Gluten Free Focaccia is also totally divine.
However you serve it, I hope you love this easy, pleasing, one skillet chicken recipe — enjoy!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 chicken breasts, ~1lb, sliced in half lengthwise to create 4 cutlets
- salt and pepper
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 shallot or 1/2 small onion, chopped
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1/2 cup half & half
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
Directions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat then add bacon and cook until crisp. Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain then pour out all but 1 teaspoon bacon grease (just eyeball it) and turn heat up to medium-high.
- Season chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper then add to skillet and saute until no longer pink, 2-3 minutes a side. Remove to a plate then tent with foil to keep warm.
- Melt butter in skillet then add shallots and mushrooms, season with salt and pepper, and then saute until mushrooms are tender, 5-7 minutes. Add spinach then saute until just barely wilted, 1 minute. Add half & half then cook until sauce is thickened, 1 minute, then stir in parmesan cheese. Plate chicken then pour sauce on top and sprinkle with cooked bacon.
Notes
- Serve with cooked pasta or over mashed potatoes.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
Will definitely make this.
But of immediate importance – WHERE is that couch from?? Currently couch shopping and that looks beautiful. Please share!!
Hi there, Kristin and IGE readers! Long-time reader, first-time commenter here. :) I’m an Iowa girl living in the Twin Cities and am trying to convince my husband we should move back to Iowa. We’re making a scouting trip to Des Moines next weekend. Any suggestions on spots to visit or places to eat? Thanks SO much!
La Mie for sure. For everything. So good.
Centro.
I’m a TC gal who lived in DSM for a couple years and those two were faves. I recently tried Django on a trip there and it was OK. Not as great as I hoped though. The Continental bar was very cool for drinks.
There really are a lot of great places there now though. And they have Hy-Vee which I swear is practically reason enough to move back (although the chain is coming to MN soon thank God!).
Ooo fun! Yes, La Mie for sure, and DEFINITELY Miyabi 9 if you guys love sushi. Centro is good for dinner, and Flying Mango is a great Caribbean-BBQ joint. Cafe di Scala is PERFECT for a romantic dinner – it was just voted as having the best chef in DSM, too. I hope this helps! :)
Hello Kristin! I loved the title of this recipe, and I think my man would like it, so pinning!
I think this is also probably woman pleasing chicken too. ;)
Lincoln is just the most precious, thanks for keeping the photos coming!
I love the combo of bacon, shallot and spinach – yum. Sort of like spaghetti night since the right noodles are involved!
This looks excellent! Did you try the Witty in the City recipe you posted? I made it last night and it was … not good. I used good dijon mustard and real maple syrup and followed the recipe exactly and the chicken was dry and really was overly mustard-y and did not brown up like the photos. I rarely have recipe busts, but that recipe was definitely a bust. I was sad because it sounded so good!
Unfortunately I had a similar experience – another reason why I wanted to share this recipe! :) I know lots of other people liked that recipe so, as I always say, to each their own!
Glad it wasn’t just me … your recipe looks great though and I can’t wait to try it!
I tried the Witty in the city version too, we also didn’t like it. It’s still in the fridge awaiting the trash can….but I will try this version, I know for sure all the ingredients will taste good together! :)
I am so surprised so many didn’t like it? I have to say using chicken thighs was absolutely key to moist and tender meat. I “tested” the dish on my husband before bringing it to a neighborhood progressive dinner. I too found it to be a little mustardy so I changed it up and used honey mustard instead to give a little more sweetness. I served it to 12 neighbors and they went back for seconds and were sad when it was all gone!
Love your couch! Mind if I ask where it’s from?
Thanks! It’s from Homemakers.
Looks great! If I left out the mushrooms, would I need to sub anything or change any of the other measurements you think? (My husband will not touch mushrooms…)
Good man – I hate mushrooms too! ;) Does he like artichoke hearts? Those would be a good replacement!
Now this is a must try for me. I hate mushrooms too! I LOVE artichoke though.
Looks incredible!! And so nice that it’s such a quick dinner!
I love this man-pleasing meal and I love even more that it’s quick! :)
Bacon, mushrooms and cheese?! That is definitely one Man pleasing chicken! I love that it is a 30 minute meal! I need more of those!
Pinned!
Man-pleasing and ready in 30 minutes? Sounds like a winter to me. My husband is the opposite of yours. He craves sameness and always asks: “Can’t you just make the same thing twice?!” His mom had a weekly rotation of foods that he had week after week. I can’t imagine! Have a great week. :)
Your son is precious. Keep taking those photos! I got lazy and so wish I had every milestone birthday photographed (they are now in middle school). Can’t wait to try this recipe… my son does not like chicken so much. But it’s such a great source of protein that I keep trying. He loves pasta and cream sauce — so can’t wait to make this for him! Pinning now.