I am so happy to have the pleasure of sharing this mouth-watering high-protein, low-carb Smothered Creamy Skillet Chicken recipe with you today. I don’t use the term mouth-watering very often, so you know this is going to be good!
I think we can all agree that healthy recipes can and should taste delicious. By the looks of the delicious low-carb, high-protein recipes you can find on Diabetes Strong, you are well aware that this is possible. So, without further ado, I present your new chicken favorite – Smothered Creamy Skillet Chicken.
Yes, you heard that right.
Smothered with delicious creamy flavors and thickened with our low-calorie friend, cashew milk (hi, 25 calories per serving, nice to meet you). I don’t know about you, but skillet meals have got to be my favorite. All that sizzle, smelling each flavor developing into one incredible sauce, and the gently glazed sear that each ingredient acquires in that skillet bath… Aren’t those magic words for any busy person looking for a delicious, quick meal?
So what’s in a Smothered Creamy Skillet Chicken?
Let’s break down the basics of this recipe because it could easily be adapted to include your favorite veggies or herbs or even a different type of protein. Most of the best recipes are like that.
Ze’ Meat: I am one of those people that have chicken most nights of the week. It can be added to ANYTHING, and has the staying power that this hungry girl needs. But don’t feel like chicken breast is the only option here. Fish would pair wonderfully with these flavors as well as even tofu!
Veggies: We always have bell peppers or sweet baby peppers on hand these days, but feel free to double up on the spinach and mushrooms to keep things simpler if you prefer! I love the color and flavor of the green onions, but red onions make a great caramelized addition as well.
Sauceaaay: You guys. I sort of have a new beverage love, and it is unsweetened cashew milk. I mean 25 calories per serving, and it makes everything creamy to the max… Hello?! What more could you ask for? However, any milk will work if you are in a pinch! I’ve also tried it with both Greek and regular plain yogurt, and both were fine. Greek definitely bumps up the protein levels, though!
No matter which way you toss it, this combo is delightful, and perfect for cleaning-out-the-fridge nights. I hope you love this Smothered Creamy Skillet Chicken as much as I do!
More low-carb, high-protein recipes
I love the healthy low-carb, high-protein recipes here on Diabetes Strong. I haven’t tried them all yet, but some of my favorites are the Stuffed Chicken Breast and the Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken Breast with Cream Cheese.
You can also browse my roundup of healthy diabetic chicken recipes to find your next favorite recipe!
When you’ve tried my smothered creamy skillet chicken, please don’t forget to let me know how you liked it and rate the recipe in the comments below!
Smothered Creamy Skillet Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 lbs. chicken breast
- 8 oz. mushrooms, chopped
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 4 cloves large garlic, minced
- 6 green onions (also known as scallions), chopped
- 7-8 mini sweet bell peppers, sliced
- 2 tsp. parsley, chopped
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup unsweetened cashew milk
- 2 tbsp. Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp. mascarpone or cream cheese
- 2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add 1 tsp. olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat.
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Add to skillet and sauté for 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and almost cooked through. Set aside.
- In the same hot skillet, add remaining tsp. olive oil and lower heat.
- Add garlic and allow to cook for about 30 seconds.
- Add green onion and half of the broth and raise heat to medium.
- Add mushrooms & peppers and bring to a medium simmer. Cook for 5 minutes
- In a separate bowl, whisk yogurt, cashew milk, and 1 tsp. parsley, then pour into skillet.
- Add spinach and stir until combined.
- Allow sauce to bubble lightly with vegetables, lowering heat if needed and stirring occasionally, for 5 more minutes.
- Nestle chicken breasts into the skillet. Add remaining broth and mascarpone or cream cheese, and cook for 5-10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
- Top with remaining parsley and serve.
Nutrition Info Per Serving
This receipe looks delicious, however the nutrition facts don’t mean anything unless you notate the serving size. This is very important, especially for diabetics.
Servings are noted in the Recipe Card on all our recipes. This recipe has 4 servings
Made this for my husband who was recently diagnosed with diabetes. He loved it and asked that I make it again!
I meant to ask, unsweetened Cashew milk was very difficult to find, what else would be a good substitute? Almond milk?
Yes, another unsweetened nut milk should work
3.5 stars. The recipe was tasting a bit bland so I added a little more garlic, cayenne pepper and topped it off with parmesan cheese. Easy to make, family really enjoyed it.
Made this for my family which includes 4 picky teenagers. It was a hit! All of the kids loved it. Very flavourful! We will be making it agun. Thanks!
I cracked a few different types of peppercorns and threw them in. I think it made all the difference. Tasted fantastic.
This recipe sounded amazing, however it did not turn out well despite following it to the T. The chicken was not cooked enough and the sauce was missing a little flavor. I ultimately ended up adding some cheese to help.
Hi Rachel, I am sorry the recipe didn’t turn out well. We have updated the instructions to make it clearer that the last step involves cooking the chicken until it’s fully cooked.
Made this recipe tonight! So great and so flavorful – I put a little extra cayenne pepper 😉 but the chicken was so good mixed in with the cashew milk and chicken broth.. those two go together and you wouldn’t even think it!!! All in all 4 stars 😊
Going to try this out tonight on my picky 11 year old thanks for sharing 😋
Hello. I have an incredibly picky husband with diabetes. He won’t eat spinach or mushrooms. I an work around the ‘shrooms, but the spinach? Also, what do you serve with it to complete the meal?
If that doesn’t work for him you could just pick another of our many recipes: https://diabetesstrong.com/recipes/
If you decide to still make this dish you could complete the meal by adding greens or a carbohydrate on the side
The smothered chic recipe sounds tasty but cooking chic breast in skillet for 5 minutes ? ? ?
I can’t imagine this is true. Explain please
Hi Trish, the chicken breast go in the pan twice so the total cooking time is around 16 minutes. You start by browning them for 3 minutes on each side, then you finish cooking them with the rest of the ingredients until they are done.
The taste was amazing but it was a more like a broth than a cream for me. 🙁 not sure what I did wrong….
I am glad you liked it. If the sauce is too thin when the chicken is done, simply remove the chicken and reduce the sauce for another minute or two. That should do the trick.
Brittany, Your smothered creamy chicken skillet recipe was amazing!!!! Even my picky children loved it!!!
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! It was a great hit & we will definitely make again & again!
Sincerely
Mitra
This was amazing and I served with couscous and it was amazing ????
I have almond milk and coconut milk. Which would be best? I’m giving this recipe a spin tonight
I would try almond milk. Coconut milk will probably work too, but I am not sure about how the flavor will match the rest of the ingredients (and I just don’t like the taste that much myself)
Thank u ????
Did you brine the chicken to moisten it?
.
Sometimes, but not always. When you cook it in a skillet like this, it should be very moist even without brining. If you do want to brine it, you can read my guide here: https://diabetesstrong.com/how-to-cook-the-perfect-chicken-breast/
AWESOME!! I made this dish and was super delicious. Thank you for the recipes. Good job.
What did you serve with it?
We typically serve it with rice because they are great at absorbing the sauce.
Cooked this for dinner this evening. Absolutely delicious! A real crowd pleaser, with my 2 children cleaning their plates and looking for me.
Easy to prepare, although it took me somewhat longer than 5 minutes preparation time. We used unsweetened almond milk, as couldn’t find cashew. The sauce was the highlight in my daughter’s opinion.
This will now be a regular.
Many thanks for sharing this.
Hi
I made this for friends and it turned out great. They absolutely loved it and so did my husband. It’s gone in my book of recipes and will do it often. My daughter is a barber and my friends husband went to have his hair cut and she said he was telling everyone about it. Huge compliment to you and me. Thanks so much!