One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken with Spinach

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

Juicy chicken thighs pan-seared with fresh garlic and bright lemon served over a bed of sautéed spinach for a wholesome meal. This mediterranean-inspired chicken (low carb) ready in about 30 minutes pairs (about 1.5 lbs) bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, minced 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 4, 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 4 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in chicken thighs and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken skin-side down and cook for 7 minutes until golden and crispy.
  2. Step 2: Flip chicken thighs, add 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant, stirring garlic around the chicken. Pour in 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice and sprinkle 1 tsp lemon zest over the chicken. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook uncovered for another 8 minutes until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken from skillet and cover with foil to keep warm. Add 6 cups fresh spinach to the pan, stirring into the pan juices and garlic for 1-2 minutes until wilted but still bright green. Season with a pinch of 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if desired. Serve chicken on a bed of the garlic lemon spinach immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pan Lemon Garlic 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 Lemon Garlic 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 Lemon Garlic 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 Lemon Garlic Chicken with Spinach for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Lemon Garlic Chicken with 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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