Quick & Hearty Chicken and Spinach Skillet Dinner Recipe

Chicken and spinach skillet dinners promise a delightful culinary adventure that converts ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Packed with vibrant flavors and nutritional goodness, this one-pan wonder brings simplicity and excitement to your evening cooking routine.

Tender protein meets leafy greens in a harmonious dance of taste and texture that satisfies both hunger and health-conscious cravings.

The skillet becomes your canvas, where each ingredient melds together to create a symphony of deliciousness that feels both comforting and sophisticated.

Smart home cooks appreciate how quickly this meal comes together, minimizing cleanup while maximizing flavor potential.

Weeknight meals rarely feel this elegant yet effortless, blending wholesome ingredients with minimal preparation time.

Bold seasonings and careful technique elevate this dish from mundane to memorable.

One-Skillet Wonder Chicken and Spinach Skillet Dinner

• Quick and Easy One-Pan Wonder: This chicken and spinach skillet dinner saves you time with minimal cleanup, combining protein, vegetables, and bold flavors in a single pan.
• Packed with Nutritious Goodness: The recipe delivers a powerful combination of lean chicken protein and nutrient-rich spinach, creating a balanced meal that supports healthy eating without sacrificing taste.
• Burst of Mediterranean-Inspired Flavors: Dried basil, oregano, and garlic powder infuse the dish with vibrant, aromatic notes that transport your taste buds to sunny Mediterranean landscapes, making every bite exciting and delicious.
• Perfect Weeknight Dinner Solution: Ready in under 30 minutes, this skillet meal offers a stress-free cooking experience for busy home cooks who want a satisfying and wholesome dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients That Matter Chicken and Spinach Skillet Dinner

• Chicken Strips: Lean protein that provides the main substance of the dish, best when fresh and cut into uniform pieces for even cooking.

• Onion, Baby Spinach: Fresh and crisp vegetables that add nutrition, texture, and depth of flavor to the skillet dinner.

• Olive Oil: Provides healthy fat and helps prevent sticking while adding a rich flavor base.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds moisture, tanginess, and creates a light sauce for the dish.
• Water: Helps create the cooking liquid and balance the sauce consistency.
• Dried Basil, Dried Oregano: Classic herbs that bring authentic Mediterranean flavor and aromatic depth.
• Garlic Powder: Provides background warmth and savory notes without fresh garlic's intensity.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste.

• Long Grain Rice: Neutral, fluffy base that absorbs the skillet's flavorful sauce, best cooked in chicken broth for extra taste.
• Chicken Broth: Adds extra flavor to the rice and complements the overall dish profile.

How to Get It Done Chicken and Spinach Skillet Dinner

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Strips

Grab a large skillet and warm olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss in chicken strips and cook until golden brown and fully cooked, moving them around frequently. This should take about 10 minutes.

Step 2: Caramelize Onions

Sprinkle diced onions into the skillet with chicken. Stir occasionally and let onions become soft and translucent, which takes roughly 5 minutes.

Step 3: Create Flavorful Sauce

• Diced tomatoes
• Water
• Dried basil
• Dried oregano
• Black pepper
• Salt
• Garlic powder

Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, blending all those delicious flavors.

Step 4: Let Flavors Mingle

Lower the heat, cover the skillet, and let everything simmer gently for about 5 minutes. This allows all the seasonings to get cozy and merge.

Step 5: Wilt Fresh Spinach

Remove the skillet lid and add fresh baby spinach. Gently stir until spinach starts to wilt and become tender, which takes 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Serve With Delicious Rice

Plate your chicken and spinach over a bed of long grain rice cooked in rich chicken broth for an extra flavor boost.

Quick Cooking Tips Chicken and Spinach Skillet Dinner

• Maximize Chicken Flavor: Pat chicken strips dry before cooking to ensure a perfect golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming.
• Season Strategically: Sprinkle garlic powder and herbs directly onto chicken while cooking to build deeper, more complex flavor layers.
• Wilting Spinach Perfectly: Add spinach at the very end and remove from heat quickly to maintain its bright green color and prevent overcooking.
• Rice Pairing Hack: Use low-sodium chicken broth when cooking rice to complement the dish's savory profile without overwhelming saltiness.
• One-Pan Efficiency: Choose a large, heavy-bottomed skillet to ensure even heat distribution and create delicious browned bits for maximum taste.

Storing and Reheating Tips Chicken and Spinach Skillet Dinner

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled chicken and spinach skillet to an airtight container, storing in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or chicken broth to prevent drying out. Stir occasionally until heated through completely.
• Freeze: Pack leftovers in freezer-safe containers, keeping for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best texture and flavor.

Easy Pairings Chicken and Spinach Skillet Dinner

• Boost Mediterranean Vibes: Pair this zesty chicken skillet with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, which complements the tomato and herb flavors perfectly.
• Enhance Herbal Notes: Serve alongside a fresh Greek salad with cucumber, feta, and kalamata olives to highlight the dish's Mediterranean-inspired seasonings.
• Amplify Comfort Factor: Add warm, crusty bread like focaccia or ciabatta to soak up the delicious tomato-based sauce and complete the meal with rustic charm.
• Balance Flavors Beautifully: Top the skillet with crumbled feta cheese or a dollop of tzatziki sauce to add a creamy, tangy dimension that elevates the entire dish.

Variations to Try Chicken and Spinach Skillet Dinner

• Mediterranean Fusion: Replace basil and oregano with za'atar spice blend, add crumbled feta cheese, and garnish with fresh parsley for a Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Substitute dried herbs with chili powder, cumin, and add diced green chilies for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.
• Creamy Italian Style: Stir in heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese during the final simmer, creating a rich and velvety sauce that coats the chicken and spinach.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Option: Replace rice with riced cauliflower or serve directly in the skillet for a lighter, vegetable-focused meal that keeps all the original recipe's delicious flavors.

Chicken and Spinach Skillet Dinner Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Chicken and spinach skillet dinner blends Mediterranean flavors with wholesome ingredients for a quick, nutritious meal. Tender chicken, wilted spinach, and creamy cheese create a satisfying one-pan experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 large boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips

Vegetables:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 cup baby spinach, packed tightly
• 1 (14 ½ ounces / 411 grams) can diced tomatoes, undrained

Seasonings and Oils:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ cup water
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

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Instructions

1. Warm a spacious skillet with olive oil over medium-high temperature, then introduce chicken strips and sear until golden and thoroughly cooked, moving them frequently to ensure even browning.
2. Incorporate diced onions into the skillet alongside the chicken, allowing them to soften and become translucent while gently stirring.
3. Pour in undrained diced tomatoes and introduce a measured quantity of water, then sprinkle dried basil, oregano, pepper, salt, and garlic powder across the surface, stirring to distribute seasonings evenly.
4. Elevate the mixture to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce heat, cover the skillet, and let ingredients simmer gently, allowing flavors to harmonize and intensify.
5. Remove the skillet’s lid and carefully fold in fresh baby spinach, continuously stirring until leaves begin to wilt and integrate with the savory chicken mixture.
6. While spinach is wilting, prepare long grain rice cooked in fragrant chicken broth to complement the skillet’s rich flavors.
7. Transfer the aromatic chicken and spinach creation atop the prepared rice, creating a vibrant and satisfying one-pan meal ready to be enjoyed immediately.

Notes

• Quickly sear chicken strips in olive oil to lock in juices and create a delicious golden-brown exterior.
• Gently cook onions until soft and translucent to release their natural sweetness and enhance overall flavor profile.
• Combine tomatoes and seasonings to create a rich, aromatic sauce that infuses the entire dish with Mediterranean-inspired taste.
• Simmer the mixture briefly to allow ingredients to blend seamlessly and develop deep, complex flavors.
• Fold in fresh baby spinach at the end for a burst of vibrant color, nutrients, and a delicate texture that complements the chicken.
• Serve over chicken broth-infused rice to elevate the dish and create a complete, satisfying meal in one skillet.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 34g
• Cholesterol: 70mg