“Why did the chicken cross the road? To prove to the possum that it could be done.” ~ S. Truett Cathy
I first had Smothered Chicken at an Applebee’s restaurant nearly 33 years ago when I was pregnant with my oldest child. It was served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables which at the time was a mixture of zucchini, yellow squash, carrots and broccoli. For years it was my favorite menu item until they removed it, forcing me to make it at home.
When made at home, I like to serve it with any number of vegetables: baked sweet potato, broccoli, cauliflower, squash or a nice salad and a side of rice. This is one of those easy meals that uses ingredients I usually have on hand already and doesn’t require a lot of thought to create.
Smothered Chicken
Ingredients
4 boneless chicken breasts
1 T. olive oil
4 slices pepperjack cheese
8 oz. mushrooms, sliced
1/2 each red pepper and green pepper, sliced into strips
1/2 yellow or red onion, sliced
1-2 T. butter
Salt & Pepper to taste
Lemon Pepper (optional)
Directions
In a skillet, heat the olive oil. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste, you may also use Lemon Pepper if desired. On medium heat, place the chicken breasts into the skillet and cook 20-25 minutes before turning and cooking on the other side. There should be a nice golden brown color developing. While the chicken breasts are cooking, melt the butter in a different skillet. Add the mushrooms, pepper strips, and onion, cooking on medium heat until soft and onion is clear. Set aside and finish chicken. At this point you may preheat the oven to 350. When chicken is done cooking, place in an oven safe dish. (If you used a cast iron skillet to brown the chicken, bake them in the oven in the same skillet.) Top chicken breasts with saute’d vegetables. Place a slice of pepper jack cheese over each breast, covering the vegetables. Bake 5-8 minutes until the cheese is melted. Serve with the sides of your choosing.
This probably ranks as one of my favorite comfort foods still and is tasty enough that my picky eater will devour it without complaint.
The Road Back Home 