Pan-Seared Lemon Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken breasts seared with zesty lemon and garlic, served over a bed of sautéed spinach and sweet cherry tomatoes for a fresh, vibrant dinner. This mediterranean-inspired chicken (gluten-free) ready in about 25 minutes pairs olive oil, minced garlic cloves, lemon zest 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: 15 min Serves 2 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Order on Instacart →

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts dry and season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F), then remove and keep warm.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and sauté 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp lemon zest for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 cups fresh spinach and 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet, sprinkle with remaining 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring, until spinach wilts and tomatoes soften.
  4. Step 4: Return chicken to skillet, drizzle 2 tbsp lemon juice over everything, and cook for another 1 minute to blend flavors. Serve chicken over the spinach and tomato mixture.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Lemon Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Lemon Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes?

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 Lemon Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes?

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 Lemon Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes 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 Lemon Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes 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

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →