Great for Sunday brunch or lunch.
Most Stratas are typically made with Turkey. Ham is an obvious substitute but I was thinking of making this for Easter Brunch and I was already planning on making a Maple Brown Sugar Glazed Ham. Chicken and Spinach came to mind so I started creating my recipe. Pimentos and Spinach add a bit of color, then Cheddar Gruyere Cheese and Thick Cut Bacon really give this Strata a lot of extra flavor. This Strata needs to be refrigerated for at least four or five hours before baking. You can make it the night prior, then bake it first thing in the morning.
CHICKEN BACON SPINACH STRATA
Ingredients:
- 2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, cubed (about 2 cups)
- 6 Slices Thick Cut Bacon
- 1 (5 oz.) pkg. Fresh Organic Baby Spinach Leaves
- 1 (8 oz.) Loaf French Bread, cubed (about 6 cups)
- 2 1/2 Cups Cheddar Gruyere Cheese, shredded
- 1 (2 oz.) Jar Diced Pimentos, drained
- 5 Large Eggs
- 1/2 Cup Green Onion, diced
- 2 Cups Half & Half
- 2 Tablespoons Honey Mustard Dressing
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Directions:
1. In a large skillet, cook the Bacon. Transfer the cooked Bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. Set aside.
2. Leave about 2 Tablespoons of the Bacon Grease in the pan and add the Chicken. Give your Pepper Mill a few good turns over the Chicken in the skillet. Over low heat, saute and stir the Chicken until cooked and no longer pink. Transfer the Chicken to a tray and allow it to cool completely.
3. While waiting for the Chicken to cool, add the Spinach into the same pan. You don’t need to turn the flame on here, just cover the pan and allow the Spinach to wilt in the warm pan. Stir the Spinach occassionally until all the leaves have wilted, then transfer the Spinach into a large mixing bowl and allow it to cool.
4. Once the Chicken and Spinach have cooled, cut the Bacon into bite size pieces and add it to the bowl with the Spinach. Fold in the Bread Cubes, Green Onion, Chicken and 1/2 Cup of the Gruyere Cheese.
5. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the Half & Half, Eggs, Pimentos and Honey Mustard Dressing. Give your Pepper Mill a few good turns over the Egg Mixture and whisk again. Set aside.
6. Spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray. Transfer the Bread Cubes and Chicken mixture from the large mixing bowl into the pan and spread it out evenly.
7. Sprinkle the remaining Cheese on top then pour the Egg mixture evenly over the top.
8. Cover the pan tightly and refrigerate for at least 4-5 hours or overnight.
9. When ready to bake the Strata, remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temerature while the oven preheats to 325 degrees.
10. Uncover the Strata and bake in the preheated oven for 50-55 minutes. Look for the top to be golden brown with all the Cheese melted and the Strata to be heated all the way through. The center will be firm and the edges puffed slightly. Let the Strata rest for 8-10 minutes before slicing.
Recipe by: Hot Dish Homemaker
*God created food to be received with prayers of Thanks by those who believe and know the truth*