Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach Recipe

This Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach is pure comfort in a pan! Juicy, golden chicken cutlets swim in a luscious garlic cream sauce, with just-wilted spinach bringing vibrant color and a touch of earthiness. It’s a quick, crowd-pleasing dinner I come back to again and again—full of flavor, simple enough for any weeknight, yet elegant enough for company.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This beautiful dish uses just a handful of humble ingredients, but each one has an important role—bringing savory depth, creaminess, freshness, and color to your Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach. Here’s how the magic happens:

• Chicken cutlets: Thin and quick-cooking, chicken cutlets turn golden brown in minutes, soaking up the flavors of the sauce.
• Salt and ground pepper: Not just for seasoning—these build a savory base from the very first step.
• Extra-virgin olive oil: Adds a rich, fruity note and helps the chicken develop that irresistible sear.
• Fresh garlic cloves: Three big cloves get grated right in for that bold garlicky aroma—the backbone of this sauce.
• Dry white wine: Splashes of wine deglaze the pan, lifting up every little browned bit and adding a little acidity and complexity.
• Fresh spinach: Coarsely chopped, spinach wilts right into the sauce for a pop of green, flavor, and nutrients.
• Heavy cream: The finishing touch—just enough to bring everything together into a luscious, dreamy sauce.

Variations

One of my favorite things about Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach is just how easy it is to play with the ingredients—so you can suit this dreamy skillet dinner to whatever your fridge or taste buds are craving. Get creative with these swaps:

• Swap out the spinach: Try baby kale, arugula, Swiss chard, or even torn basil for a fresh twist and subtle change in flavor.
• Dairy-free version: Use full-fat coconut milk or a plant-based cream alternative for a sauce that’s just as rich and silky (with a hint of coconut sweetness).
• No wine? No problem: Replace the wine with low-sodium chicken broth and a splash of lemon juice to keep that bright tangy note.
• Endless add-ins: Toss in halved cherry tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, or steamed broccoli for extra color and nutrients.

How to Make Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach

Step 1: Sear the Chicken Cutlets

Start by seasoning your chicken cutlets generously with salt and pepper. Heat up the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cutlets and cook, turning just once, until they’re golden brown and cooked through (about 6 minutes total). Don’t crowd the pan—work in batches if you need to! Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and keep it nearby.

Step 2: Build the Garlic Sauce

Add the grated garlic directly to the same pan, letting it sizzle and become fragrant for about 30 seconds (this is when your kitchen will start to smell magical). Raise the heat to medium-high and add the white wine, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any golden bits stuck to the pan—those are flavor gold!

Step 3: Wilt the Spinach and Create the Creamy Sauce

Return the heat to medium and stir in your chopped spinach, heavy cream, and the remaining salt and pepper. Simmer the mixture just until the spinach wilts and the sauce thickens ever so slightly—about 2 minutes. You’ll see the color turn vibrant green, and the kitchen will fill with oohs and ahhs from any onlookers!

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Return the chicken and any juices back to the skillet, gently turning each cutlet to coat in that gorgeous garlicky cream sauce. Once everything is heated through and well combined, your Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach is ready to plate up and enjoy.

How to Serve Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach

Garnishes

A sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper and a shower of grated Parmesan work wonders over the top of Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach. If you’re feeling extra, add a few torn basil leaves or a little lemon zest for a fresh, zippy contrast.

Side Dishes

This dish absolutely begs for something to soak up all that gorgeous sauce—think angel hair pasta, fluffy rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or a heap of warm, crusty bread. For a lighter touch, cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles work beautifully too. Round out your meal with a crisp, tangy green salad.

Creative Ways to Present

For an impressive touch, serve the chicken cutlets sliced over a bed of mixed greens and drizzle with the garlic cream sauce. Or try piling them atop toasted sourdough for an elegant open-faced sandwich—the sauce dripping into the bread is next-level delicious. Mini portions plated in small skillets or cocottes make a great appetizer for dinner parties, too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let any leftover Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach cool before storing. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate—it’ll keep well for up to three days, staying moist and flavorful thanks to that lovely sauce.

Freezing

While cream sauces can sometimes separate when thawed, this dish actually freezes surprisingly well for short periods. Cool completely, freeze in a tightly sealed container, and thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Stir well when reheating to bring the sauce back together—just don’t refreeze once thawed.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the chicken and sauce in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of extra cream or broth if the sauce seems too thick. The microwave works for quick lunches—just use short intervals and cover loosely so everything stays juicy and tender.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I hope this Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach brings as much joy to your dinner table as it does to mine. It’s the kind of easy, flavorful meal that feels both homey and special—perfect for any night you need a little cozy comfort. Give it a try, and don’t forget to personalize it to suit your cravings!

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