There’s just something irresistibly cozy about this Smothered BLT Chicken with Spinach and Parmesan Recipe. Imagine tender chicken blanketed in a rich, garlicky cream sauce, crispy bacon, fresh spinach, and melty parmesan—all those flavors together create a truly comforting meal you’ll want to make again and again.

On a white oval plate, there are five cooked chicken pieces with a light brown color and specks of black seasoning. The chicken is covered with a thick creamy sauce that has a light orange color. The sauce has bright red cherry tomato halves, dark green spinach leaves, and small pieces of crispy browned bacon scattered on top. A large silver serving spoon rests on the left side of the plate. The plate is placed on a dark green cloth on a white marbled surface. In the bottom right corner, there is a white bowl filled with steamed green asparagus spears. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Smothered BLT Chicken with Spinach and Parmesan Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Smothered BLT Chicken with Spinach and Parmesan Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe is one I turn to when I want a meal that feels indulgent but still manages to be pretty simple. The balance of crispy bacon, garlicky tomatoes, creamy spinach sauce, and perfectly browned chicken hits all the right notes without a million ingredients or complicated steps.

Flavor Explosion: The savory bacon combined with fresh spinach and parmesan gives this dish layers of flavor you won’t get with plain chicken.
One Skillet Wonder: You cook everything in one pan, which means less cleanup and more time to enjoy your meal.
Quick Comfort: Ready in just over 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something comforting fast.
Customizable: You can easily swap spinach for kale or add a little heat with red pepper flakes—making it your own is a breeze.

Ingredients & Why They Work

I love how this recipe combines simple, fresh ingredients that play off each other perfectly. The crispy bacon adds crunch and smokiness, juicy tomatoes bring brightness, and parmesan plus cream create a luscious sauce. Here’s a quick rundown of the key players and what they bring to the table.

Flat lay of crispy chopped bacon, two boneless skinless chicken breasts with smooth pale skin, a small mound of coarse salt, black peppercorns scattered, a few sprigs of dried Italian seasoning herbs, halved glossy red grape tomatoes, three unpeeled garlic cloves next to a small pile of minced garlic, a small white ceramic bowl filled with pale golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of clear low sodium chicken broth, a tiny white bowl with white cornstarch powder, roughly chopped vibrant green fresh spinach leaves, a small white ceramic bowl with finely shredded pale yellow parmesan cheese, a small white ceramic bowl filled with thick white heavy cream, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Bacon: Provides incredible smoky crispness that elevates the entire dish.
Chicken breasts: Pounding them thin ensures they cook evenly and stay juicy.
Grape tomatoes: They burst with sweetness and balance the savory ingredients.
Garlic: Adds aromatic depth to the sauce without overpowering.
Chicken broth: Creates a flavorful base for the sauce, enhancing umami.
Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce perfectly without making it gloopy.
Fresh spinach: Wilts down into the sauce, adding freshness and color.
Parmesan cheese: Sharp and nutty, it adds richness and umami punch.
Heavy cream: Makes the sauce silky and indulgent without being too heavy.
Olive oil: For searing the chicken and sautéing, adds subtle fruity notes.
Italian seasoning: A blend that infuses the chicken with herbs, tying all flavors together.
Salt & black pepper: Essential for seasoning each component just right.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love to tweak this Smothered BLT Chicken with Spinach and Parmesan Recipe depending on the season or what I have on hand. You can make this recipe truly yours by swapping ingredients or adding extra flavors that suit your mood.

Variation: I once swapped the spinach for kale when I wanted a heartier green—it stood up beautifully to the cream sauce and added a nice texture.
Spice it Up: I’ve added a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a gentle heat that balances the richness.
Dairy-Free Twist: Using coconut cream instead of heavy cream works surprisingly well for a dairy-free option, just adjust seasoning to taste.
Extra Veggies: Toss in some sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers to boost the veggie content and add flavor layers.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Smothered BLT Chicken with Spinach and Parmesan Recipe

The image shows a white plate with three main parts on a white marbled surface. On the left side of the plate, there is a light yellow pile of orzo rice with a soft texture. On the top right, bright green asparagus spears are laid in a neat bundle. The central and right part of the plate has a creamy sauce with a light orange color that covers a cooked piece of meat. This meat is topped with small red tomato chunks, dark green spinach leaves, and bits of browned bacon. The sauce spreads slightly onto the plate, mixing with the ingredients, giving a rich and creamy look. A woman's hand with a fork is visible in the top left corner, reaching toward the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Crisp that bacon to perfection

Start by chopping your bacon and cooking it over medium heat in a large skillet. I find tossing it every so often helps it cook evenly and get that perfect crispiness without burning. Once ready, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. This bacon will add smoky crunch to our dish, so don’t skip this step!

Step 2: Prep and season your chicken

If you’re working with larger breasts, butterfly and cut them into smaller portions, then give each a gentle pounding with a mallet to even out thickness—this helps them cook evenly without drying out. Pat them dry with paper towels (this is key for a good sear!). Season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to build layers of flavor right from the start.

Step 3: Sear the chicken until golden and juicy

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a clean skillet over medium-high heat. Add your chicken pieces in one layer—crowding the pan will steam rather than sear your chicken, so give it space. Cook about 4 minutes per side until they’re beautifully browned and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and try not to peek too much!

Step 4: Build the sauce with garlic and tomatoes

Reduce the heat to medium, add the remaining olive oil to the pan, then toss in the halved grape tomatoes and minced garlic. Sauté quickly—just about 30 seconds—to soften the tomatoes and release their sweetness without burning the garlic.

Step 5: Simmer and thicken the sauce

Pour in the chicken broth and bring it up to a simmer. Turn the heat to medium-low and let it bubble gently for 2 minutes. Meanwhile, mix your cornstarch with a bit of broth to make a slurry, then add this to the pan. Stir continuously and watch as the sauce thickens smoothly in about half a minute.

Step 6: Add spinach, bacon, and parmesan

Stir in the chopped fresh spinach, crispy bacon, and parmesan cheese. Cook just long enough for the spinach to wilt—this usually only takes a minute or two. The parmesan melts into the sauce, giving it that signature cheesy, nutty flavor.

Step 7: Finish with cream and return chicken

Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine, creating a silky, luscious sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Finally, nestle your chicken pieces back into the sauce, spooning some over the top. Let it all warm together for a minute or two, then it's ready to serve.

Top Tip

From my many attempts making this dish, these tips really helped me nail the perfect balance and texture every time. I want you to have that same success right from the start so you can enjoy this meal without any second-guessing!

Dry Your Chicken Thoroughly: Moisture on the chicken prevents browning—I always pat mine dry with paper towels before seasoning and searing.
Don’t Overcrowd the Skillet: Give the chicken pieces room in the pan so they get a nice golden crust instead of steaming.
Watch Your Garlic: Garlic burns fast and gets bitter—add it last with the tomatoes and sauté briefly.
Stir the Sauce Constantly: When you add the cornstarch slurry, keep stirring to avoid lumps and ensure that silky finish.

How to Serve Smothered BLT Chicken with Spinach and Parmesan Recipe

Smothered BLT Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love scattering a few extra shards of parmesan over the top and a light sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or basil for that pop of color and fresh herbal brightness. If I’m feeling fancy, some toasted pine nuts add a lovely crunch contrast.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs beautifully with simple sides like garlic mashed potatoes, crusty bread to soak up the sauce, or a light lemony quinoa salad. For veggie lovers, steamed green beans or roasted asparagus make for a perfect fresh counterpoint.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, try serving the chicken atop creamy polenta or a bed of angel hair pasta tossed lightly in olive oil. You can even present it family-style in a nice skillet, letting everyone help themselves to the delicious smothered sauce.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, though the spinach doesn’t stay as vibrant, so I try to enjoy it fresh whenever possible.

Freezing

This recipe freezes okay, though the texture of the spinach softens more after thawing. I recommend freezing the chicken and bacon separately from the cream sauce if you want the best texture when reheated. Use freezer-safe containers and consume within 2 months.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a covered skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream if the sauce feels thick. This helps keep the chicken moist and prevents the sauce from separating. Avoid microwaving if you want to maintain texture.

Smothered BLT Chicken with Spinach and Parmesan Recipe