One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken breasts seared in garlic butter, served with sautéed fresh spinach and blistered cherry tomatoes for a vibrant, quick dinner. This international-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, unsalted butter, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 International cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter foams. Add chicken and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F), then transfer to a plate.
  2. Step 2: Reduce heat to medium, add remaining 1 tbsp butter and 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté garlic for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 cups fresh baby spinach and 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet, stirring gently to wilt spinach and blister tomatoes, about 3-4 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt.
  4. Step 4: Return chicken breasts to the pan, drizzle with 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and cook together for 1 more minute to meld flavors before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes?

International chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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