One-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Spinach
Tender chicken thighs cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce served over sautéed Parmesan spinach, all made in one pan for easy cleanup. This american-inspired chicken (low carb) ready in about 35 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 420 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.
Ingredients
- 6 pieces (about 1.5 lbs) boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 6 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Add chicken to skillet and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add 4 tablespoons unsalted butter to the skillet. Once melted, add 5 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 6 cups fresh spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, for 3-4 minutes until wilted and tender.
- Step 4: Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the spinach and stir until melted and coating the leaves.
- Step 5: Return chicken thighs to the skillet nestling them into the spinach mixture. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to rewarm the chicken and let flavors meld before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan 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-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan 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-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan 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-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan 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.
Related recipes
Honey-Garlic Sheet Pan Chicken with Roasted Vegetables
One-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with Herbed Rice
One-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with Herb Roasted Potatoes
One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice Skillet
Herb-Crusted Parmesan Chicken Breasts with Garlic Herb Butter
Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Dijon Cream Sauce
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
