Pan-Seared Chicken with Honey Mustard Glaze and Wilted Spinach
Juicy pan-seared chicken breasts glazed with a tangy honey mustard sauce, served atop a bed of sautéed fresh spinach. This chicken-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs olive oil, salt, black pepper 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.
Ingredients
- 2 pieces (about 6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each) 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.
- Step 2: While the chicken cooks, whisk together 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 2 minced garlic cloves in a small bowl until smooth and set aside.
- Step 3: Remove chicken from the skillet and reduce heat to medium-low. Pour the honey mustard mixture into the skillet and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy.
- Step 4: Return chicken to the skillet and spoon the glaze over the top, cooking for an additional 1 minute to coat and heat through.
- Step 5: In a separate pan, melt 1 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 4 cups fresh baby spinach and sauté, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes until wilted but still bright green. Season with a pinch of salt.
- Step 6: Serve the glazed chicken breasts over the wilted spinach, spooning extra sauce from the pan over the top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Honey Mustard Glaze and Wilted 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 Wilted 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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Honey Mustard Glaze and Wilted 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 Wilted 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.
What goes well with Pan-Seared Chicken with Honey Mustard Glaze and Wilted Spinach?
Chicken 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.
Related recipes
One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with Spinach
Sautéed Chicken with Sautéed Spinach and Garlic
Sautéed Chicken with Microsoft-Inspired Citrus Herb Glaze
Pan-Seared Chicken with No-Cache Citrus Glaze
Pan-Seared Chicken with Bing-Inspired Citrus Herb Glaze
Pan-Seared Chicken Breast with Citrus-Honey Glaze
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
