Sautéed Chicken with Honey Mustard Glaze and Wilted Spinach
Seared and coated in a sweet and tangy honey mustard glaze, served atop garlicky wilted spinach for a balanced, flavorful meal. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs olive oil, minced garlic cloves, honey 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 (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 5 cups baby spinach
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp water
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (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, then add the chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes on the first side without moving until golden brown.
- Step 2: Flip the chicken breasts and cook for another 4-5 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F). Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside, covering loosely with foil.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 3 minced garlic cloves to the same skillet, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Stir in 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, cooking for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 4: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon the honey mustard glaze over them, cooking for 1 more minute to warm through and coat in sauce.
- Step 5: Remove chicken again and add 5 cups baby spinach to the skillet with 2 tbsp water. Sauté spinach over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes until wilted and tender. Season spinach lightly with salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 6: Plate the wilted spinach and top with the glazed chicken breasts, spooning any extra sauce from the pan over the top before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed 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 Sautéed 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 Sautéed 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 Sautéed 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 Sautéed Chicken with Honey Mustard Glaze and Wilted Spinach?
American 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.