One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken with Sautéed Spinach
Tender chicken thighs cooked in a bright lemon garlic sauce, paired with vibrant sautéed spinach for a wholesome one-pot meal. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs (about 1.5 lbs) 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 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 (about 1.5 lbs) bone-in chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 6 cups fresh spinach
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 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 and sear for 6-7 minutes until golden brown and crisp at the edges. Flip and cook 4-5 minutes until browned.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Pour in 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice and 1/2 cup chicken broth, scraping any browned bits from the pan bottom. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
- Step 3: Remove chicken from skillet and keep warm. Add 6 cups fresh spinach to the pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes until wilted and tender, stirring frequently. Season spinach with a pinch of salt and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if desired.
- Step 4: Serve the chicken thighs over the sautéed spinach, spooning the lemon garlic sauce from the pan over top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken with Sautéed Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Lemon Garlic Chicken with Sautéed 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken with Sautéed 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 Lemon Garlic Chicken with Sautéed 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 Lemon Garlic Chicken with Sautéed Spinach?
Mediterranean 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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