Sautéed Lemon Garlic Chicken with Spinach

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken breasts sautéed with fresh garlic and bright lemon, served atop wilted spinach for a light and flavorful meal. This mediterranean-inspired chicken (low carb, gluten free) ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) chicken breasts, olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 2 chicken breasts dry 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, about 2 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add the chicken breasts and sauté for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove chicken and tent with foil.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium and add 4 minced garlic cloves to the same skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Add 5 cups chopped fresh spinach and 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice to the skillet. Stir continuously for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the lemon juices form a light sauce.
  5. Step 5: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon the lemon garlic spinach over the top. Cook together for 1 minute to meld flavors, then serve immediately.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Lemon Garlic Chicken with Spinach 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 Sautéed Lemon Garlic Chicken 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 (6 oz each) chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Lemon Garlic Chicken 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 Lemon Garlic Chicken with 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.

Is Sautéed Lemon Garlic Chicken with Spinach low carb?

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

Related recipes