Mushroom and Spinach Chicken with Bacon in Creamy Sauce

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 strips bacon
1 cup mushrooms (sliced, button or cremini)
2 cups fresh spinach (washed and trimmed)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary (optional)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions:

Prepare the Chicken:

Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 6-7 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Cook the Bacon:

In the same skillet, add the bacon strips and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside on paper towels to drain. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into pieces.
Cook the Mushrooms:

In the same skillet with the bacon drippings, add the sliced mushrooms. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, or until they are tender and golden brown.
Add Spinach and Garlic:

Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the mushrooms and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant.
Add the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
Make the Creamy Sauce:

Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, dried thyme, and rosemary (if using). Cook for a few minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly.
Combine Chicken and Sauce:

Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce. Simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the chicken to reheat and absorb the flavors.
Add Bacon:

Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the top of the chicken and sauce. Stir gently to combine.
Serve:

Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
Serve the mushroom and spinach chicken with bacon over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Tips:
Chicken Variations: You can use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a different texture and flavor.
Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables such as bell peppers or onions for additional flavor.
Sauce Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it with a bit more chicken broth or cream.