Description
Homemade creamy spinach chicken promises a luxurious dinner experience with rich, comforting flavors. Succulent chicken breasts nestled in a silky sauce deliver a hearty meal that satisfies completely.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 grams) chicken breasts, skinless boneless
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1.5 cups (360 ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (50 grams) Parmesan cheese, freshly shredded
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 3 tbsps fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Lavishly coat chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and a delicate flour dusting, ensuring complete coverage.
- Searing Technique: Heat olive oil in a cast-iron skillet until surface ripples, then expertly sear chicken to achieve a golden, crisp exterior, approximately 4-5 minutes per side.
- Aromatic Foundation: Reduce heat and introduce minced garlic, releasing its fragrant essence without scorching, then deglaze the pan with heavy cream, capturing the caramelized chicken essence.
- Sauce Development: Whisk Parmesan cheese into the cream, creating a silky, luxurious sauce, then gently fold in baby spinach leaves, allowing them to soften and meld with the creamy mixture.
- Final Integration: Return seared chicken to the skillet, submerging each piece in the verdant spinach cream sauce, ensuring thorough heating and complete flavor absorption.
- Presentation: Garnish with fresh thyme leaves and serve immediately, showcasing the dish’s rustic elegance and vibrant, creamy texture directly from the skillet.
Notes
- Flour Coating Technique: Lightly dust chicken with flour to create a delicate, crispy exterior that locks in moisture and develops a beautiful golden-brown crust.
- Pan Temperature Control: Maintain medium-high heat for perfect searing, creating a caramelized exterior while keeping the chicken tender and juicy inside.
- Sauce Building Trick: Use browned bits from chicken to elevate the cream sauce’s depth, transforming simple ingredients into a rich, restaurant-quality flavor profile.
- Spinach Wilting Secret: Add spinach just before serving to preserve its vibrant color, nutrients, and prevent overcooking, ensuring a fresh and crisp texture in the final dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg