One-Pot Garlic Butter Herb Chicken with Spinach

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A simple, tender chicken dish simmered in a garlic butter sauce with fresh herbs and sautéed spinach, all cooked in one pan for easy cleanup. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves, fresh thyme leaves 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 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Season 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then add to the skillet. Sear for 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, about 8 minutes total. Remove chicken and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Reduce heat to medium, add remaining 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 5 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves and 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary, cooking for 30 seconds. Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and bring to a simmer; cook for 2 minutes until slightly reduced.
  4. Step 4: Add 5 cups baby spinach to the skillet, stirring until wilted and coated with the garlic butter sauce, about 2 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon sauce and spinach over them, and cook for an additional 2 minutes to reheat and meld flavors.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Garlic Butter Herb 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-Pot Garlic Butter Herb 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 Herb 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 Herb 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.

What goes well with One-Pot Garlic Butter Herb 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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