Pan-Seared Chicken with Honey Mustard Glaze and Garlic Spinach

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken breasts pan-seared to golden perfection, glazed with a sweet and tangy honey mustard sauce, served alongside garlicky sautéed spinach. This american-inspired chicken (gluten free) ready in about 30 minutes pairs salt, black pepper, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Reduce heat to medium, add 1 tbsp olive oil, then whisk together 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp honey, and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. Pour the mixture into the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until the glaze thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  3. Step 3: Return chicken breasts to the pan and spoon the honey mustard glaze over them for 1-2 minutes to warm through and intensify flavor.
  4. Step 4: While chicken rests, finely mince 3 garlic cloves. Heat 1 tbsp unsalted butter in another skillet over medium heat, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 5 cups fresh baby spinach and cook, stirring frequently, until wilted and tender, about 2-3 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt.
  5. Step 5: Serve chicken breasts topped with extra glaze alongside the garlic spinach.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Honey Mustard Glaze and Garlic 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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Honey Mustard Glaze and 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 salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken with Honey Mustard Glaze and 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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Honey Mustard Glaze and Garlic Spinach for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Honey Mustard Glaze and Garlic 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.

Related recipes