One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken breasts seared in a lemon garlic sauce, finished with fresh spinach and sweet cherry tomatoes for a vibrant, quick dinner. This mediterranean-inspired chicken (low carb) ready in about 30 minutes pairs olive oil, minced garlic cloves, fresh lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 12 oz) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp dried oregano. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes on one side without moving, until golden brown. Flip and cook another 5 minutes until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken from skillet and set aside. Add 4 minced garlic cloves to the same skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Pour in 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1/4 cup water, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes until they start to soften. Stir in 3 cups fresh baby spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted.
  5. Step 5: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon the lemon garlic sauce, spinach, and tomatoes over the top. Cook together for 1 minute to meld flavors, then serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

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

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

Is One-Pan Lemon Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes 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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