If you are craving a dish that feels both comforting and sophisticated, the Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach Recipe is exactly what you need on your table. This dish combines tender chicken cutlets with a luscious, garlicky cream sauce enriched by the fresh vibrancy of spinach, creating a beautiful harmony of flavors that come together in just about 20 minutes. It’s an effortless yet impressive meal that brings warmth and a touch of elegance to any weeknight or casual dinner with friends.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, fresh ingredients is the first step toward making this dish shine. Each item plays a crucial role, from the juicy chicken that forms the hearty base to the fresh spinach that adds color and nutrition. The garlic creates an aromatic punch, while the white wine deglazes the pan and lends subtle depth. Finally, the heavy cream transforms everything into a silky sauce that makes every bite irresistible.
- 1 pound chicken cutlets: Choose thin-cut chicken for quick, even cooking and tender results.
- ½ teaspoon salt, divided: Balances the flavors and enhances the natural taste of the chicken and sauce.
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper, divided: Adds just the right amount of gentle heat.
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil: Perfect for searing the chicken to a golden brown while keeping it juicy.
- 3 large cloves garlic, grated or minced: Infuses the dish with bold, fragrant garlic flavor.
- ½ cup dry white wine: Helps deglaze the skillet and adds subtle acidity and complexity.
- 2 cups coarsely chopped fresh spinach: Provides vibrant color and a fresh, slightly earthy flavor.
- ½ cup heavy cream: Creates a rich, velvety sauce that brings harmony to the dish.
How to Make Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by seasoning your chicken cutlets evenly with half the salt and pepper. This simple seasoning preps the chicken for a well-balanced flavor right from the start and ensures every bite is perfectly savory.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place your chicken cutlets in the pan and cook for about 3 minutes on each side until they reach a gorgeous golden brown and are cooked through. Moving the chicken only once avoids losing those flavorful crusts. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside to rest — this will keep it juicy.
Step 3: Sauté the Garlic
In the same skillet, you’ll find all those wonderful browned bits stuck to the pan — that’s flavor gold. Add the grated or minced garlic, stirring constantly for roughly 30 seconds until it releases its irresistible aroma without burning.
Step 4: Deglaze with Wine
Turn up the heat slightly and pour in the dry white wine to deglaze the pan. Scrape the bottom gently with a wooden spoon as you cook to incorporate all those delicious caramelized flavors. Let the wine reduce for about a minute — this step builds the flavor foundation for your sauce.
Step 5: Add Spinach and Cream
Now, bring the heat back to medium and stir in the fresh chopped spinach, heavy cream, and the remaining salt and pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer for two minutes, until the spinach wilts gracefully and the sauce begins to thicken, turning wonderfully creamy and luscious.
Step 6: Combine and Serve
Return the chicken cutlets to the skillet, coating them gently but thoroughly in the creamy spinach sauce. Let everything mingle for another minute or two so the flavors unify beautifully before serving.
How to Serve Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach Recipe
Garnishes
Adding fresh garnishes can elevate this dish from simple to stunning. Try a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or a few shavings of Parmesan cheese to add brightness and extra layers of flavor that will get everyone asking for seconds.
Side Dishes
This Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach Recipe pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or even a crisp garden salad can complement the rich sauce perfectly, rounding out your meal with texture and freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special touch, serve the chicken on a rustic wooden board or family-style platter, allowing guests to help themselves. You can also nestle the chicken over a bed of buttery polenta or toasted baguette slices to sop up every bit of that delicious sauce — a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your meal, refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. The chicken and sauce will keep beautifully for up to 3 days, making it an excellent option for quick lunches or a cozy next-day dinner.
Freezing
If you want to keep this Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach Recipe on hand for longer, you can freeze it. Store the chicken and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers to preserve texture and flavor. They’ll stay good for up to 2 months — just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
When reheating, do so gently to prevent the cream sauce from separating. Warm up the dish slowly in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream if needed to loosen the sauce and recapture that velvety texture.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of cutlets?
Absolutely! Just slice the chicken breasts thinly or pound them to the same thickness as cutlets so they cook evenly and quickly, maintaining that tender texture that makes this recipe so delicious.
What can I substitute for white wine?
If you prefer not to use alcohol, chicken broth or even a splash of lemon juice mixed with broth can work beautifully to deglaze the pan and keep the bright flavors intact.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as your white wine and other ingredients are verified gluten-free. It’s a great choice for those avoiding gluten but still craving comforting chicken dishes.
Can I add other vegetables to the sauce?
Definitely! Mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or bell peppers would add wonderful flavors and textures. Just sauté them along with the garlic before adding the wine and spinach for the best results.
How can I make this dish lighter?
For a lighter version, swap heavy cream for half-and-half or a mixture of milk and Greek yogurt, keeping in mind that the sauce may be less rich but still delicious and creamy.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach Recipe that makes it feel like a home-cooked hug on a plate. Easy to make yet elegant enough to impress, it’s one of those dishes you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again. So go ahead, try it tonight and enjoy the warmth and flavor that only a creamy garlic chicken skillet can deliver.
Print
Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
This quick and flavorful Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach recipe features tender chicken cutlets cooked in a rich garlic and white wine cream sauce with fresh spinach, making a perfect weeknight dinner ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 pound chicken cutlets
- ½ teaspoon salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper, divided
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Sauce
- 3 large cloves garlic, grated or minced
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 2 cups coarsely chopped fresh spinach
- ½ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Sprinkle the chicken cutlets evenly on both sides with ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon ground pepper. Set aside to season while you heat the pan.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken cutlets and cook for about 3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 6 minutes total. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place on a plate, keeping warm.
- Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, add the grated or minced garlic. Stir constantly and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned, to release its full flavor.
- Deglaze with Wine: Increase heat to medium-high and pour in the ½ cup dry white wine to deglaze the skillet. Stir and cook until the wine has reduced slightly, about 1 minute, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add Spinach and Cream: Reduce heat back to medium. Stir in 2 cups of coarsely chopped fresh spinach, ½ cup heavy cream, and the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon ground pepper. Simmer the sauce for 2 minutes until the spinach is wilted and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken cutlets to the skillet. Turn them in the creamy spinach and garlic sauce to coat evenly. Serve immediately for a warm, creamy, and flavorful meal.
Notes
- Use fresh spinach for best flavor and texture; you can substitute baby spinach if preferred.
- Dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complements the sauce well but you can use chicken broth as an alcohol-free substitute.
- Grated garlic releases more flavor quickly; mince finely if grating is not an option.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
