One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Wilted Spinach

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

A simple and effortless skillet chicken dish featuring succulent garlic butter chicken breasts served with tender wilted spinach. This american-inspired chicken (low carb) ready in about 25 minutes pairs unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves, fresh spinach 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: 5 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 American cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper on both sides.
  2. Step 2: Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Lower heat to medium-low and add 3 tablespoons unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves to the same skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and the butter is melted.
  4. Step 4: Add 5 cups fresh spinach to the skillet and toss gently with the garlic butter for 2-3 minutes until the spinach is wilted but still bright green.
  5. Step 5: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, drizzle with 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and spoon the garlic butter spinach over the chicken. Serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Wilted Spinach take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (5 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 Wilted Spinach?

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 Wilted Spinach?

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 Wilted Spinach 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.

Is One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Wilted Spinach low carb?

Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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