Description
This creamy chicken with spinach dinner is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich, garlicky cream sauce with fresh spinach and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal, it combines simple ingredients to create a luscious and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce and Spinach
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- 2 cups fresh spinach (or more for extra greens)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Season chicken: Season the chicken breasts on both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Cook chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken breasts until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and stir continuously until wilted, which will take about 2 minutes.
- Create sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then stir in Dijon mustard if using, dried thyme, dried basil, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir well to combine and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer chicken in sauce: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the creamy sauce and spinach mixture over the chicken. Let the chicken simmer for 2-3 minutes to heat through and absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh parsley over the top if desired, and serve warm for a delicious, creamy chicken dinner.
Notes
- The Dijon mustard is optional but adds a nice tangy depth to the sauce.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
- You can add more spinach for extra greens and nutrients.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer a bit longer to reduce.
- Serve with rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
