Creamy Spinach Chicken – A Comforting, One-Skillet Classic

If you’re craving a cozy yet elegant dinner that tastes like it came straight out of a restaurant kitchen, Creamy Spinach Chicken is your answer. This simple one-pan dish delivers tender, juicy chicken breasts simmered in a rich garlic cream sauce loaded with fresh spinach and Parmesan.

It’s decadent but wholesome, easy enough for busy weeknights, and fancy enough for guests. Pair it with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta, and you’ll have a meal that wows every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• 🥘 One-pan meal – less mess, more flavor.
• 🧄 Rich and creamy sauce that’s perfectly balanced by the spinach.
• ⏱️ Ready in 25 minutes – no long cooking times or complicated steps.
• 🐔 Juicy chicken every time thanks to a quick sear and gentle simmer.
• 🍷 Versatile – pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or veggies.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs total)
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika (optional, for color)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter

For the Creamy Spinach Sauce:

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 3 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
• ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional for a little heat)
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make Creamy Spinach Chicken

Step 1 – Prepare and Sear the Chicken

Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside (they’ll finish cooking in the sauce).

Step 2 – Make the Garlic Cream Base

In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits (flavor boosters!).

Step 3 – Add the Cream and Cheese

Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning. Whisk until smooth and gently bubbling. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 4 – Add the Spinach

Add chopped spinach and stir until wilted and well combined.

Step 5 – Return the Chicken

Place the seared chicken back in the skillet. Spoon sauce over each piece.
Cover and simmer for 5–7 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Step 6 – Serve and Enjoy

Serve immediately with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta. Spoon extra creamy sauce over the top and sprinkle with additional Parmesan or fresh parsley.

Creamy Spinach Chicken

Juicy chicken breasts simmered in a creamy garlic Parmesan spinach sauce — a comforting one-pan dinner ready in just 25 minutes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main

Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired

Calories: 410

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter

For the Sauce

• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup chicken broth
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese grated
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 3 cups baby spinach roughly chopped
• 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
• salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Tongs
• Whisk
• Wooden spoon

Method

 

1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika.
2. Heat oil and butter in skillet and sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden; remove.
3. Add garlic and sauté briefly; deglaze with broth.
4. Add cream, Parmesan, and seasoning; whisk until smooth.
5. Stir in spinach until wilted.
6. Return chicken to skillet, cover, and simmer 5–7 minutes until cooked through.
7. Serve warm with sauce spooned over top.

Tips for Success

1. Pound chicken to even thickness before cooking for even searing.
2. Don’t overcook the chicken – simmer just until done and still juicy.
3. Use fresh spinach – frozen spinach adds too much liquid unless fully drained.
4. Grate your own Parmesan – pre-grated cheese won’t melt as smoothly.
5. Adjust thickness: If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of broth.

Variations You’ll Love

• 🧅 Mushroom Spinach Chicken: Add sautéed mushrooms for earthy depth.
• 🍅 Tomato Spinach Chicken: Add sun-dried tomatoes or cherry tomatoes for color and tang.
• 🧀 Cheesy Upgrade: Stir in mozzarella for a stretchy, cheesy finish.
• 🌶️ Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne or extra red pepper flakes.
• 🥓 Bacon Lovers’ Version: Stir in crispy bacon bits for smoky flavor.

What to Serve with Creamy Spinach Chicken

Pair this dish with simple sides to soak up that incredible sauce:

• Mashed potatoes – creamy on creamy is never wrong.
• Butter noodles or fettuccine pasta – the sauce clings perfectly.
• Steamed rice – a lighter option that still satisfies.
• Roasted asparagus or green beans – adds color and freshness.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

• Make-Ahead: You can sear the chicken and make the sauce ahead, then combine and reheat before serving.
• Store: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days in an airtight container.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of cream or broth to restore texture.
• Freeze: Not recommended — the cream sauce can separate after thawing.

Nutrition (Per Serving – 1 Chicken Breast + Sauce)

• Calories: 410
• Protein: 38g
• Fat: 26g
• Carbohydrates: 4g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 520mg

Why This Recipe Works

Cream, garlic, and spinach — a trio that never fails. The mild spinach balances the richness of the sauce, the garlic adds depth, and Parmesan ties everything together with savory umami.

It’s one of those recipes that looks fancy but secretly takes less than half an hour — perfect for anyone who wants flavor and comfort without fuss.

This Creamy Spinach Chicken is the definition of a weeknight win: simple, nourishing, and absolutely irresistible.