Creamy Spinach Chicken – A 30-Minute Dreamy Skillet Dinner
If comfort had a flavor, it would taste like Creamy Spinach Chicken. Tender, golden-seared chicken breasts swimming in a luscious garlic cream sauce with wilted spinach — this easy skillet meal is pure indulgence made simple.
Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends, this dish brings restaurant-quality flavor to your kitchen without complicated steps or fancy ingredients. Whether you’re cooking for your family, a date night, or meal prepping for the week, this recipe will earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast & Flavorful: Ready in about 30 minutes — perfect for weeknights.
- Creamy but Balanced: The rich sauce gets a light lift from fresh spinach.
- One-Pan Wonder: Fewer dishes, more flavor.
- Versatile: Pairs perfectly with pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
- Restaurant-Worthy: The kind of dish that looks impressive but is secretly simple.
What Is Creamy Spinach Chicken?
This recipe is a beautiful balance of savory, creamy, and earthy flavors. It’s made with pan-seared chicken breasts, sautéed garlic, and a luxurious cream sauce enriched with parmesan cheese and fresh spinach.
It’s reminiscent of classic Tuscan chicken — minus the sun-dried tomatoes — offering a more mellow, buttery flavor that highlights the spinach.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
For the creamy spinach sauce:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp butter (for finishing)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare and Season the Chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.
2. Sear the Chicken
Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6–7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (165°F internal temperature). Remove from the pan and set aside.
3. Sauté the Garlic
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
4. Deglaze and Build the Sauce
Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up the brown bits from the pan — this adds deep flavor to your sauce.
5. Add the Cream and Seasonings
Stir in the heavy cream, parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Add the Spinach
Toss in the spinach and cook until wilted, about 1–2 minutes. Stir gently to coat in the sauce.
7. Return the Chicken
Place the seared chicken back into the skillet. Spoon sauce over the top and let it simmer for 3–5 minutes on low heat to reheat and soak up the flavors.
8. Finish and Serve
Add a final tablespoon of butter for richness. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Creamy Spinach Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Heat oil and butter in skillet and sear chicken 6–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Add garlic to skillet and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Deglaze pan with chicken broth, scraping up brown bits.
- Add cream, parmesan, mustard, and Italian seasoning. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Stir in spinach until wilted, then return chicken to pan.
- Simmer 3–5 minutes, spoon sauce over chicken, and finish with butter.
Notes
Tips for Success
✅ Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Chicken breasts can dry out quickly — use a meat thermometer for perfect doneness.
✅ Thicken the Sauce: If you like a thicker sauce, simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes.
✅ Make It Lighter: Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream or use Greek yogurt for a lighter touch.
✅ Add Texture: Sprinkle crispy bacon or toasted pine nuts on top before serving.
✅ Double the Sauce: If serving with pasta, make 1.5x the sauce for plenty of coverage.
Variations
1. Creamy Tuscan Chicken: Add sun-dried tomatoes and a splash of white wine.
2. Spinach Mushroom Chicken: Sauté sliced mushrooms before adding the cream.
3. Spicy Spinach Chicken: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for gentle heat.
4. Dairy-Free Version: Use coconut milk and nutritional yeast instead of cream and cheese.
5. Baked Spinach Chicken: Pour sauce over seared chicken in a baking dish and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.
What to Serve with Creamy Spinach Chicken
- Pasta: Fettuccine, penne, or egg noodles soak up that rich sauce beautifully.
- Rice or Quinoa: Perfect for a lighter, gluten-free pairing.
- Mashed Potatoes: The ultimate comfort food sidekick.
- Steamed Veggies: Broccoli, asparagus, or green beans make a vibrant balance.
- Crusty Bread: For soaking up every drop of that velvety sauce.
Storage & Reheating
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze: The sauce freezes surprisingly well — store for up to 2 months and thaw overnight before reheating.
Reheat: Gently warm on the stovetop or microwave in short bursts, adding a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce.
Meal Prep Option
Cook the chicken and sauce separately, then combine just before serving. You can portion it into containers with rice or pasta for easy grab-and-go lunches that reheat beautifully.
Why This Dish Works
The secret to this recipe’s success lies in balance. The cream sauce is rich but not overpowering, the spinach adds a fresh, earthy note, and the chicken provides hearty protein.
It’s indulgent yet surprisingly simple — no roux, no complicated steps, just classic ingredients coming together to create something memorable.
This is one of those dishes that can make any dinner feel special, even if it’s just a Tuesday night.
Pro Tip: Use Fresh Parmesan
Skip the pre-grated cheese and grate fresh parmesan right before adding it to the sauce. It melts more smoothly and gives your sauce that silky, restaurant-quality finish.
Final Thoughts
Creamy Spinach Chicken is the kind of dish that turns an ordinary evening into something extraordinary. It’s quick enough for weeknights, impressive enough for guests, and satisfying enough to make you feel warm and content after every bite.
Serve it with a glass of white wine, and you’ll see why this creamy skillet chicken is a FoodieMoms favorite. ❤️
