One-Pan Creamy Chicken and Spinach: A Delicious and Easy Dinner

This One-Pan Creamy Chicken and Spinach dish brings together tender chicken cutlets, fresh spinach, and fire-roasted tomatoes in a rich, creamy sauce made with Boursin cheese. It’s a flavorful, comforting meal that comes together in just 30 minutes, and the best part? There’s only one skillet to clean! Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, serve this dish with rice, pasta, or crusty bread for a complete meal.

Quick Benefits

• Quick and Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or when you want a delicious meal with minimal prep time.
• High in Protein: The chicken breasts provide a substantial amount of lean protein (46g per serving), making this a great option for muscle building and repair.
• Rich in Vitamins: Fresh spinach provides vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron, contributing to your daily nutritional needs.
• One-Pan Meal: This dish requires only one skillet, making cleanup a breeze—ideal for those who prefer minimal kitchen mess.

Essential Ingredients

To make this creamy chicken and spinach, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• ½ cup chopped onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ⅓ cup white wine or chicken broth
• 1 (14 ½ ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 (5.2-ounce) package soft cheese, such as Boursin® Garlic & Fine Herbs Gournay cheese, cut into cubes
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 4 cups packed roughly-chopped fresh spinach
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives (for garnish)

These ingredients work together to create a creamy, flavorful sauce and tender, perfectly cooked chicken.

Preparation Steps

This dish is simple to prepare with the following steps:

1. Prepare the chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into cutlets by slicing across the grain of the meat. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Cook the chicken: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, swirl the pan to mix the butter and oil. Lightly brown the chicken cutlets on each side, cooking for about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and keep it warm.
3. Sauté the onion and garlic: Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook for about 2 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high, then add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
4. Deglaze the pan: Add the white wine (or chicken broth) to the skillet, stirring to loosen any browned bits from the pan. Let the liquid cook down until most of it evaporates, about 2 minutes.
5. Make the sauce: Stir in the fire-roasted tomatoes, Boursin cheese, and Italian seasoning. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce becomes creamy, about 5 minutes.
6. Add the spinach: Stir in the chopped spinach and cook until it’s wilted, about 2 minutes. If you like your spinach more wilted, add it earlier in the process with the Boursin.
7. Return the chicken to the skillet: Add the chicken back into the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Cook until the chicken is fully heated through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 165°F (74°C).
8. Garnish and serve: Garnish with fresh minced chives and serve immediately.

Health Benefits

This dish is not only delicious but also provides several health benefits:

• High in Protein: The chicken is a great source of lean protein, which is essential for muscle repair and growth.
• Packed with Vitamins and Minerals: Spinach provides important nutrients like vitamin A, C, iron, and folate, contributing to healthy skin, vision, and immune function.
• Rich in Healthy Fats: The addition of olive oil and butter provides healthy fats, supporting heart health and satiety.
• Low-Carb: With only 10g of carbs per serving, this dish fits well into a low-carb or keto lifestyle.

Serving Suggestions

This One-Pan Creamy Chicken and Spinach is versatile and pairs well with several sides:

• With rice: Serve it with cauliflower rice for a low-carb option or white rice for a more traditional pairing.
• With pasta: This dish is also great with pasta—whether it’s a low-carb alternative like zucchini noodles or a classic spaghetti.
• With crusty bread: A side of crusty bread is perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce.
• With a salad: A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette complements the rich flavors of this dish.

Creative Variations

Feel free to get creative with this recipe and make it your own:

• Add more vegetables: Add mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini to the skillet for extra flavor and texture.
• Use different cheeses: If you don’t have Boursin cheese, try cream cheese, goat cheese, or any soft cheese you like for a creamy sauce.
• Spice it up: For a bit of heat, add some crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the sauce.
• Use chicken thighs: Swap the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier alternative.

Storage Tips

This One-Pan Creamy Chicken and Spinach stores well for leftovers:

• Refrigeration: Store the leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: You can freeze the dish for up to 1 month. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and heat gently on the stove over low heat until warmed through.

Pro Tips

• Evenly slice the chicken: Slice the chicken breasts evenly to ensure they cook uniformly.
• Sauté the spinach lightly: For a bright green, slightly wilted spinach, cook it for just a few minutes. If you prefer it softer, add it to the sauce earlier.
• Use an instant-read thermometer: To ensure your chicken is fully cooked, use an instant-read thermometer. The chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the cutlet.
• Deglaze the pan: When adding wine or broth, be sure to scrape up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan. These bits add extra flavor to the sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use frozen spinach?
Yes, you can use frozen spinach in place of fresh spinach. Be sure to thaw and drain it well to remove any excess moisture before adding it to the sauce.

2. Can I make this recipe without wine?
Yes, you can substitute the wine with chicken broth or vegetable broth if you prefer not to use wine.

3. Can I make this ahead of time?
While this dish is best served fresh, you can prepare the components in advance, such as slicing the chicken and prepping the sauce. Just assemble and cook when you’re ready to eat.

4. Can I make this dish dairy-free?
You can try substituting the Boursin cheese with a dairy-free cream cheese or a vegan cheese alternative to make the dish dairy-free.

This One-Pan Creamy Chicken and Spinach is a quick, flavorful, and healthy meal that will become a staple in your weeknight dinner rotation. The rich, creamy sauce, tender chicken, and vibrant spinach make it a satisfying dish for everyone to enjoy!

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