One-Pan Garlic Lemon Chicken with Spinach

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-07 · Updated 2026-08-07

Tender chicken breasts cooked in a fragrant garlic lemon sauce with fresh spinach, all made in one pan for an effortless weeknight dinner. This Mediterranean-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Ingredients

• 2 pieces (about 1 lb) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 3 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 4 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Season 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, then place them in the skillet. Cook for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove chicken and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional). Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
3. Step 3: Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, scraping the browned bits from the pan with a wooden spoon. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes until slightly reduced.
4. Step 4: Add 4 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach to the skillet, stirring until wilted and tender, about 2 minutes.
5. Step 5: Return the chicken breasts to the pan, spoon the lemon garlic sauce and spinach over them, and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to reheat and combine flavors. Serve warm.