Sautéed Italian Chicken with Roasted Garlic and Spinach

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

Tender chicken breasts sautéed with roasted garlic and fresh spinach, finished with a touch of white wine and parmesan. This italian-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs olive oil, garlic cloves, fresh spinach for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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: 25 min Serves 2 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 6 garlic cloves on a small baking dish, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, and roast for 15 minutes until soft and golden.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts and season both sides with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and sauté for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken from skillet and keep warm. In the same skillet, add roasted garlic cloves and mash slightly, then add 4 cups fresh spinach and sauté for 2-3 minutes until wilted.
  5. Step 5: Pour 1/4 cup dry white wine into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits, and cook for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the spinach.
  6. Step 6: Return chicken to the skillet, sprinkle with 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, and cook for 1 more minute until cheese melts and the dish is heated through.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Italian Chicken with Roasted Garlic and Spinach take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Italian Chicken with Roasted Garlic and 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 Italian Chicken with Roasted Garlic and 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 Italian Chicken with Roasted Garlic and 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 Italian Chicken with Roasted Garlic and Spinach?

Italian 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.

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