Description
This Creamy Garlic Chicken with Spinach is an easy, one-pan dinner that’s packed with rich, garlicky, and cheesy goodness. Juicy chunks of chicken breast are simmered in a luscious parmesan cream sauce with tender baby spinach, making it a perfect meal for busy weeknights. Serve it over mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice for the ultimate comfort food experience. Ready in just 25 minutes, this dish is simple, satisfying, and anything but boring!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
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600g (1 ¼ lb) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2-inch chunks
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1 teaspoon cooking sea salt or kosher salt
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1 teaspoon dried thyme
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½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
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1 tablespoon cooking oil
For the Sauce:
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5–6 cloves garlic, minced
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1 cup (250ml) chicken stock or broth
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2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
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½ cup (125ml) thickened (heavy) cream
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Pinch of dried red pepper flakes (optional)
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⅓ cup (35g) finely grated parmesan cheese
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200g (7oz) baby spinach
Instructions
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Season & Cook the Chicken:
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In a bowl, toss the chicken chunks with salt, thyme, and black pepper until evenly coated.
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Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and just cooked through. Remove from the pan and cover with foil to keep warm.
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Sauté the Garlic & Deglaze the Pan:
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In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
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Pour in the chicken stock and white wine vinegar, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Simmer for about 1 minute, allowing the liquid to reduce by half.
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Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce:
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Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and red pepper flakes (if using). Let the sauce simmer until slightly thickened.
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Add the grated parmesan cheese and stir until fully melted and smooth.
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Combine Everything:
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Return the cooked chicken to the pan along with the baby spinach. Stir well and cook for another 1-2 minutes, just until the spinach wilts and the chicken is heated through.
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Serve & Enjoy:
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Spoon the creamy garlic chicken over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta. Be sure to drizzle plenty of that delicious sauce over the top!
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Notes
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Chicken Substitute: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well in place of chicken breasts.
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Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and a dairy-free parmesan alternative.
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Extra Flavor: Stir in a bit of butter at the end for an even richer sauce.
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Thicker Sauce: Let the sauce simmer longer if you want it thicker, or add a little cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons water).
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Make It Spicy: Add extra red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne for more heat.
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Serving Suggestions: This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes, pasta, or a simple green salad.
- Equipment
Large deep skillet or frying pan
Sharp knife and cutting board
Wooden spoon or spatula
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Australian, World
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (¼ of total recipe)
- Calories: 376 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 1023mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.03g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 39g
- Cholesterol: 137mg
Keywords: creamy garlic chicken, garlic parmesan chicken, chicken with spinach, easy skillet chicken, one-pan chicken