Sage-Infused Chicken Thighs with Creamed Spinach

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

Tender chicken thighs simmered in a rich herb-infused sauce, served atop a velvety bed of sautéed spinach and garlic. This american-inspired chicken (high protein, low carb) ready in about 35 minutes pairs (1.5 lbs) boneless chicken thighs, unsalted butter, finely chopped fresh sage leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 520 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 6 boneless chicken thighs (1.5 lbs) dry with paper towels. Season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 5 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook for 4 minutes more.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-low, add 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh sage leaves and 4 minced garlic cloves, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1/4 cup heavy cream and 1 tsp salt, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Add 2 cups packed fresh spinach to the skillet, stirring until wilted and tender (about 2 minutes). Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sage-Infused Chicken Thighs with Creamed Spinach take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 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 Sage-Infused Chicken Thighs with Creamed 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 unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sage-Infused Chicken Thighs with Creamed 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 Sage-Infused Chicken Thighs with Creamed Spinach for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Sage-Infused Chicken Thighs with Creamed Spinach high protein?

Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein, low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying

Related recipes