Mississippi Mud Chicken (Printable)

Golden chicken in a velvety cream sauce with crispy bacon, earthy mushrooms, and bubbling cheese—a decadent Southern-inspired skillet dinner ready in under an hour.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# Steps:

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 Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce alone is worth making it—rich, velvety, and packed with layers of flavor from bacon to Worcestershire
  • Everything happens in one skillet, meaning less cleanup and more time enjoying dinner with your people
  • The combination of melted cheeses creates that irresistible mud pie inspired topping everyone fights over
02 -
  • Don't rush the chicken searing step—that caramelized crust is what keeps the meat juicy and adds serious depth to every bite
  • The sauce will thicken more as it bakes, so don't panic if it looks a little thin when you first pour it over the chicken
  • Use an ovenproof skillet that's large enough to hold everything comfortably without overcrowding—this ensures even cooking and proper sauce reduction
03 -
  • Let the chicken come to room temperature for about 20 minutes before cooking—it sears more evenly and stays juicier
  • Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded bags for a smoother melt and better flavor

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