Chicken Speonk
A savory chicken dish layered with spinach, mushrooms, Canadian bacon, and melted cheese, baked to perfection with a flavorful wine and cream sauce, ideal for comforting dinners.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook chopped spinach according to label instructions, drain, and spread in a warm iron pan.
- Saute chopped scallions in butter for 1-2 minutes.
- Add chicken breasts, salt, and pepper, then simmer, covered, in wine and chicken broth for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove the chicken and layer it on top of the spinach in the pan.
- Save the liquid from cooking (about 1+ cup). Warm slices of Canadian bacon in the liquid and place on top of the chicken.
- Add mushrooms and minced garlic to the wine and broth mixture, then simmer for 3 minutes.
- Add cream of celery soup to the mixture and bring to a boil.
- Spread the sauce over the chicken and spinach.
- Sprinkle grated Swiss or Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs over the top.
- Bake until the cheese melts or broil until bubbling and golden.
Tips & Substitutions
For a flavor boost, consider adding a splash of lemon juice or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the sauce. If you don't have Swiss cheese, Gruyère or mozzarella can be great substitutes. You can also use fresh spinach in place of frozen; just sauté it until wilted. To save time, use pre-cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken, which can be layered directly over the spinach.
Serving Suggestions
This Chicken Speonk pairs beautifully with a light salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Consider serving it with buttery garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce. For a comforting side, try Old-Fashioned Cornbread Stuffing, which complements the dish's flavors well. A glass of white wine, like Chardonnay, would enhance the meal nicely.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes or until heated through, covering with foil to prevent drying out. You can also microwave individual portions, but be sure to cover them to retain moisture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Speonk contains roughly 1138 calories, with 10g protein, 12g carbohydrates, and 109g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (53% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (32% of the Daily Value), and iron (22% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1100mg per serving (48% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use another type of meat instead of chicken?
Absolutely! This recipe can easily be adapted to use turkey or pork. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly, as these meats may require less or more time to cook through.
Is it possible to make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dish up to the baking step and refrigerate it covered. When ready to serve, simply bake it directly from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time to ensure it's heated thoroughly.
What can I substitute for cream of celery soup?
If you don't have cream of celery soup on hand, you can make a simple substitute by mixing equal parts of heavy cream and chicken broth with some sautéed celery and onion for flavor. Alternatively, cream of mushroom soup works well too.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).