Mississippi Mud Chicken (Printable View)

Tender chicken baked in a velvety cream sauce loaded with smoky bacon, earthy mushrooms, and bubbly cheese blend.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tsp salt
03 - ½ tsp black pepper
04 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
05 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Sauce & Toppings

06 - 6 strips bacon chopped
07 - 1 cup cremini or button mushrooms sliced
08 - 3 cloves garlic minced
09 - 1 cup heavy cream
10 - ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
12 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
13 - ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
14 - 2 green onions sliced
15 - ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped

# How to Prepare:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
03 - In a large ovenproof skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 3–4 minutes per side until golden. Remove to a plate.
04 - In the same skillet, add chopped bacon. Cook until crispy; remove and set aside, reserving about 1 tbsp bacon fat in the skillet.
05 - Add mushrooms to the skillet. Sauté 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
06 - Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in heavy cream and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer 2–3 minutes to thicken slightly.
07 - Return chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over each piece. Top with cooked bacon, cheddar, and mozzarella cheese.
08 - Transfer skillet to the oven and bake uncovered for 15–18 minutes, until chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F) and cheese is melted and bubbling.
09 - Sprinkle with green onions and parsley before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, which means maximum flavor and minimum cleanup
  • The combination of crispy bacon, earthy mushrooms, and two kinds of melted cheese creates the kind of rich sauce that makes you want to sop up every last drop with whatever's on your plate
02 -
  • Dont skip searing the chicken first because that golden crust creates texture and flavor that oven baking alone cant achieve
  • Let the sauce simmer just enough to thicken slightly because it will reduce more in the oven and you want it luscious not broken
  • Use a truly ovensafe skillet because the handle needs to withstand 375°F without any drama
03 -
  • If your chicken breasts are very thick pound them to even thickness before seasoning so they cook at the same rate
  • A cast iron skillet is ideal here because it goes from stovetop to oven seamlessly and holds heat beautifully
  • Let the dish rest 5 minutes after baking so the sauce sets slightly and the cheese stays put when you serve it

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