One-Pot Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs cooked in a single pan with fresh garlic, vibrant cherry tomatoes, and wilted spinach for a healthy, easy dinner. This mediterranean-inspired whole30 (whole30) ready in about 35 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, olive oil, garlic cloves, minced 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp dried oregano. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes until the skin turns golden brown and crispy.
  2. Step 2: Flip the chicken thighs and add 5 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Add 1 pint of halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally until the tomatoes soften.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 1/4 cup water, cover the skillet, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
  4. Step 4: Remove the lid and stir in 5 cups of fresh baby spinach, cooking for 2 minutes until wilted. Drizzle 1 tbsp lemon juice over the top and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve warm.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

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

Is One-Pot Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes whole30?

Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30 based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes