Sautéed Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with Spinach

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs pan-seared in garlic butter, served over wilted spinach for a rich and satisfying keto meal. This american-inspired keto (keto, low carb) ready in about 30 minutes pairs (about 1.5 lbs) bone-in chicken thighs, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 410 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in chicken thighs and season both sides with 1 tsp sea salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Add the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 6-7 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy, then flip and cook another 6 minutes until cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside on a plate.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
  4. Step 4: Add 6 cups fresh spinach to the skillet, tossing with the garlic butter. Cook for 3-4 minutes until spinach is wilted but still vibrant green.
  5. Step 5: Return the chicken thighs to the skillet on top of the spinach and spoon garlic butter over the top. Cook for 1-2 minutes more to reheat chicken and meld flavors. Serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with 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 Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with 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 Sautéed Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with 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 Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with 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 Sautéed Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with Spinach keto?

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

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