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.
Umm yes that looks super easy girl! Flavors are super simple and who doesn’t love a one pot meal?! Definitely going to try this. I’m a fan of using half and half instead of cream too! Cream can make a sauce like this too thick. Thanks for sharing! Happy FAT Tuesday :)
Looks delicious!! Mushrooms and spinach have been a staple in our house this winter. We can’t get enough of them :) Hope you have a few cute photos in there!!
This looks scrumptious! Can’t wait to try it!
— Alex at Cashmere Kangaroo
Ok this is a bizarre question. In your photo is that served on a salad plate or a standard sized dinner plate?
It’s a salad plate!
This dish looks wonderful but I have to admit, I cringe a little at the “man-pleasing” business. I totally get wanting to prepare something that your partner loves but I like your original name of this dish (Ultimate Smothered Chicken) better. Just one woman’s opinion! :)
I agree. Feels like a tiny time travel to the 50’s where your only value lies within keeping your husband happy. Ugh.
What a great dinner, love this combination!
I’m saving this dinner recipe simply because I DO think my man will be pleased! :) love all your simple but delicious looking dishes iowa girl!
Made this tonight for dinner – absolutely delicious!! Great combination of flavors!
Somehow stumbled upon your blog this morning while making my grocery list….made this for dinner tonight for my 5 men…….plates were licked clean!! I served it with mashed potatoes this time and am also looking forward to trying it with pasta next time. I also need to tgel rid of some fresh asparagus so I served it with roasted asparagus too. My MiL and I also give it two thumbs up! So glad I discovered your blog …thanks :-))
I’ll have to try this, pasta seems to be my husband’s love language:)
This looks like such an easy yet flavorful weeknight dish!
Enjoy your blog & pictures of Lincoln (my oldest son’s fav prez)!
We have a 5.5 month old baby girl, Lydia, and also live in Iowa. I enjoy cooking from scratch (daily). We eat primarily organic. To save money we try to buy in bulk from Costco, etc. I have learned to make my own breads, sauces, etc. Being raised on the boxed stuff it is fascinating and fun to try new recipes! Tired of cold! Can’t wait for spring!!!
Just a FYI about carrageenan (hubby is a scientist):
Here is a quote:
“A clinical study conducted by Wakabayashi found that rodents were fed daily with a 5% carrageenan aqueous solution had a 100% incidence rate of colon metaplasis (abnormal replacement of cells of one type by cells of another/cancer) after 15 months.
As far as I know there have been no clinical studies conducted on humans, but they have been performed on mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, and mice and they all show a connection between carrageenan and colon cancer. ”
http://blog.healthkismet.com/carrageenan-cancer-health-inflammation
http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/38/12/4427.full.pdf
This is similar to my hubs fav(minus the spinch). He likes to call it “chicken noodley mushroom stuff”.