Smothered Chicken

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a kick)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Season and Brown the Chicken:
   • Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides.
   • In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
   • Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
2. Saute the Vegetables:
   • In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed.
   • Add the sliced onions and bell pepper. Saute until the vegetables are softened and lightly caramelized, about 5-6 minutes.
   • Add the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms to the skillet. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the mushrooms are tender.
3. Prepare the Sauce:
   • Pour in the chicken broth and deglaze the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
   • Stir in the heavy cream, dried thyme, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Mix well to combine.
4. Simmer and Return Chicken:
   • Bring the sauce to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low.
   • Return the browned chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce.
   • Cover the skillet and let the chicken simmer in the sauce for about 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender, and the sauce has thickened.
5. Serve:
   • Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and place it on a serving platter.
   • Spoon the smothered vegetables and sauce over the chicken.
   • Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
   • Serve the skillet smothered chicken hot, accompanied by rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.