Description
Creamy spinach chicken delivers Italian-inspired comfort with tender chicken nestled in a luxurious spinach sauce. Parmesan cheese and garlic elevate this simple skillet meal that takes you straight to a rustic Mediterranean kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (454 grams) chicken breasts, skinless boneless
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1.5 cups (360 milliliters) heavy cream
Seasonings and Spices:
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon flour
Cheese and Herbs:
- ½ cup (50 grams) Parmesan cheese, freshly shredded
- 3 tablespoons fresh thyme
Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare chicken breasts by generously seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, then carefully coat each piece with all-purpose flour, ensuring an even, light dusting.
- Warm extra virgin olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, creating a shimmering surface that indicates proper temperature.
- Carefully place floured chicken breasts into the hot skillet, allowing each side to develop a rich, golden-brown crust for approximately 4 to 5 minutes, turning once to achieve uniform coloration.
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside on a clean plate, preserving the flavorful browned bits at the bottom of the pan.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and add minced fresh garlic, sautéing for 30 to 45 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, gently scraping the pan’s bottom to incorporate the caramelized chicken remnants, creating a deeply flavored base.
- Gradually whisk in grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese completely melts and the sauce becomes smooth and velvety.
- Add fresh baby spinach leaves to the cream sauce, allowing them to gently wilt and integrate into the mixture, which should take approximately 1 to 2 minutes.
- Carefully return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy spinach sauce.
- Spoon the sauce generously over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated and heated through.
- Finish the dish by delicately garnishing with fresh thyme leaves, adding a subtle herbal aroma and visual appeal.
- Serve immediately, presenting the creamy spinach chicken directly from the skillet for a rustic, appetizing presentation.
Notes
- Quick-cooking method ensures juicy, golden-brown chicken with a crispy exterior that locks in flavor.
- Dredging chicken in flour creates a delicate coating that helps thicken the sauce and adds a subtle crispness.
- Single-skillet technique minimizes cleanup and allows chicken to absorb rich, garlic-infused cream sauce.
- Parmesan cheese melts smoothly, creating a luxurious, velvety texture that coats the tender chicken.
- Fresh spinach adds vibrant color, nutrients, and a delicate earthy taste to the creamy sauce.
- Finishing with fresh thyme provides a fragrant, herbal note that elevates the entire dish’s complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 612 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 26 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg