Smothered BLT Chicken
6 slices | bacon, chopped |
1½ Tbsp | olive oil, divided |
4 | (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts |
Salt and black pepper | |
1½ tsp | Italian seasoning |
10 oz | grape tomatoes (halved) |
1 Tbsp | minced garlic (3 cloves) |
1 cup | low sodium chicken broth, plus 1 ½ Tbsp |
1 Tbsp | cornstarch |
3 cups | packed (3 oz) fresh spinach, roughly chopped |
½ cup | (1 oz) finely shredded parmesan cheese |
⅓ cup | heavy cream |
Add bacon to a 12-inch skillet, cook over medium heat, tossing occasionally until cooked and crisp. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. |
If using 2 (12 oz) chicken breasts then butterfly and cut into 2 portions through the thickness. Pound each piece with a meat mallet to even the thickness. If using 4 (6 oz) pieces then pound each to an even 1/2-inch thickness. |
Dab chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season each side evenly with salt and pepper and Italian seasoning. |
Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a clean 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces in a single layer and cook until golden brown on each side and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. |
Set pan over medium heat, add remaining 1/2 Tbsp olive oil. Add tomatoes and garlic and saute 30 seconds. |
Pour in chicken broth, bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer 2 minutes. |
Whisk together cornstarch and remaining 1 1/2 Tbsp chicken broth. Pour into skillet and stir. |
Let cook and thicken, while stirring, about 30 seconds. |
Stir in spinach, cooked bacon and parmesan cheese. Cook until spinach wilts. |
Stir in heavy cream. Season sauce with salt as needed and pepper to taste. |
Return chicken pieces, and spoon sauce over chicken and serve. |