Description
This Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach is a rich and flavorful one-pan meal perfect for a comforting dinner. Tender chicken breasts are sautéed to golden perfection and then simmered in a luscious garlic cream sauce infused with Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Fresh baby spinach adds a nutritious and vibrant touch to the dish. Ready in just 30 minutes, this gluten-free recipe pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes for a complete and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Cooking Fats
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Sauce Ingredients
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted and hot. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and thoroughly cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté the garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant without burning, releasing its aromatic flavor.
- Prepare the sauce base: Pour in chicken broth and bring it to a gentle simmer, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a spoon to loosen any flavorful browned bits left from cooking the chicken.
- Add cream and cheese: Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Allow the sauce to simmer for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly and becomes creamy.
- Wilt the spinach: Add the fresh baby spinach to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring gently until the spinach wilts and incorporates into the sauce.
- Combine and heat through: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon some of the creamy sauce over the top, and let everything simmer together for an additional 2-3 minutes until the chicken is heated through and flavors meld.
- Serve: Serve the creamy garlic chicken immediately, spooning extra sauce and spinach over each portion. Enjoy it with your choice of sides like pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if preferred; thighs are juicier but may require slightly longer cooking time.
- For a dairy-free alternative, use coconut milk in place of heavy cream and omit the Parmesan cheese.
- Serve this dish alongside pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes to make a complete and hearty meal.
- Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level or omit entirely if you prefer no heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
