One-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes
A quick, one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in garlic butter sauce with fresh spinach and burst cherry tomatoes. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves, packed baby spinach for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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
- 4 pieces (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 pint (about 12 oz), halved cherry tomatoes
- 5 cups, packed baby spinach
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp optional red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Season 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp dried oregano, then place them in the skillet. Sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, then remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium, add 4 tbsp unsalted butter and 5 minced garlic cloves to the same skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and garlic is softened but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes and 1 cup chicken broth, stirring to deglaze the pan. Let the mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes until tomatoes soften and release their juices.
- Step 4: Stir in 5 cups packed baby spinach, cooking for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet nestling them into the sauce. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to marry flavors.
- Step 5: Sprinkle 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Serve chicken topped with the garlicky spinach-tomato sauce.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes 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 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 unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Garlic Butter 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-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes 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.
What goes well with One-Pot Garlic Butter Chicken with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes?
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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