Pan-Seared Chicken Breast with Garlic Spinach and Lemon Zest
A quick, healthy skillet dish featuring juicy chicken breasts paired with garlicky sautéed spinach and a bright lemon finish. This chicken recipe (low carb, gluten free), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. 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
- 2 pieces (6 oz each) skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 5 cups fresh spinach
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp water
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add the chicken breasts. Sear for 5 minutes without moving, until golden brown on the bottom.
- Step 2: Flip the chicken breasts and cook for another 5 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature 165°F), then transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 1 tbsp olive oil and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Add 5 cups fresh spinach and 2 tbsp water to the skillet. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach is wilted and tender.
- Step 5: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1 tsp lemon zest for a fresh aroma. Plate the spinach alongside the chicken breasts and serve immediately.








