One-Pan Garlic Lemon Chicken with Spinach

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

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 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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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.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pan Garlic Lemon Chicken with Spinach 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 Lemon Chicken with 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Garlic Lemon Chicken with 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 Lemon Chicken with 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.

What goes well with One-Pan Garlic Lemon Chicken with Spinach?

Mediterranean 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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