Pan-Fried Rainbow Chard with Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes
Vibrant rainbow chard wilted in garlic and red pepper flakes, brightened with lemon for a simple, colorful side. This American-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 15 minutes, pairs rainbow chard, olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 100 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
- 12 oz, stems removed and leaves chopped rainbow chard
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant and garlic is golden.
- Step 3: Add 12 oz chopped rainbow chard and 1/4 tsp salt, stirring to coat. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chard is wilted and tender.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice and cook for 1 more minute until chard is bright green and heated through.
- Step 5: Season with 1/4 tsp black pepper, then serve immediately.






