One-Pot Tomato Basil Chicken with Garlic Spinach
A comforting one-pot dish featuring tender chicken simmered in a fresh tomato basil sauce, served with garlicky sautéed spinach. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion 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
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 5 oz baby spinach
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then sear chicken for 4 minutes per side until golden brown; remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil, then sauté 1 diced medium yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes and 1/2 cup water, stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, and season with a pinch of red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 4: Return chicken thighs to the skillet, spoon sauce over them, cover, and cook over low heat for 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a separate pan over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 5 oz baby spinach and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Step 6: Serve chicken topped with tomato basil sauce alongside the garlicky spinach.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Tomato Basil Chicken with Garlic 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 Tomato Basil Chicken with Garlic 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 Tomato Basil Chicken with Garlic 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 Tomato Basil Chicken with Garlic 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 Tomato Basil Chicken with Garlic 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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