One-Pot Garlic Lemon Chicken with Spinach
A simple and comforting one-pot chicken dish featuring tender chicken thighs cooked with garlic, lemon, and fresh spinach for a bright, healthy meal. This mediterranean-inspired chicken (gluten free) ready in about 30 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, minced garlic cloves 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 5 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season 4 bone-in chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then place skin-side down in the skillet. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp, then flip and cook an additional 5 minutes.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp lemon zest to the pan, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant but not burnt. Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and 2 tbsp lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-low and add 5 cups fresh spinach. Stir gently until the spinach wilts, about 2-3 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed, then serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Garlic Lemon 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 Lemon 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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Garlic Lemon 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 Lemon 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.
Is One-Pot Garlic Lemon Chicken with Spinach gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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