One-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with Spinach
Tender chicken breasts cooked in a buttery garlic sauce with fresh spinach, all prepared in one pan for a quick, comforting meal. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 25 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 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.
Ingredients
- 2 pieces (about 12 oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Step 2: Add the chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves to the same skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and the garlic is golden but not burnt.
- Step 4: Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Step 5: Add 4 cups fresh spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes until wilted and coated in the garlic butter sauce.
- Step 6: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon the sauce and spinach over them. Cook together for 1-2 minutes to meld flavors before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (5 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-Pot Garlic Butter 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 unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Garlic Butter 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-Pot Garlic Butter 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-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with Spinach?
American 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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