Oh, I know the feeling when the clock strikes five and you just need dinner on the table that feels like a huge hug. We all crave that kind of cozy, satisfying meal after a long day, right? That’s exactly why I am thrilled to share my recipe for Creamy Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Parmesan with you today. This isn’t just another skillet dinner; it’s the ultimate reliable weeknight favorite because it’s rich, deeply flavorful, and cleanup is a breeze since it’s all done in one pan! If you love the flavor profile of baked chicken, check out my post on Garlic Parmesan Chicken Meatloaves for another great dinner option.
This dish truly captures the heart of what I try to do here at Sena Recipes—taking simple ingredients and making something that feels special enough for guests but easy enough for Tuesday night. The aroma of fresh garlic simmering in that luxurious cream sauce? Instant comfort! You’re going to love how quickly this comes together.
Emma Laurent is the Founder & Creative Director of Sena Recipes, where she shares comforting classics with modern flair. Her approachable recipes inspire thousands of home cooks to rediscover the joy of everyday meals.
Trust me, once you have this one in your rotation, you’ll be reaching for it again and again. Ready to dive into the best creamy chicken you’ve ever made?
Why This Creamy Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Parmesan Works Every Time
When you’re looking for a go-to meal that always delivers that satisfying, restaurant-quality taste without the hassle, this recipe is your answer. I keep this one bookmarked because it sticks to my favorite principles: minimal dishes and maximum flavor payoff.
- One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks right in the skillet, which means cleanup is super fast—a lifesaver on a weeknight!
- Rich, Velvety Sauce: The combination of stock, wine vinegar (for a little brightness!), and heavy cream creates a sauce that clings perfectly to the chicken.
- Vegetables Built-In: You get healthy greens from the spinach without having to cook a separate side dish. You can find lots more easy family dinner recipes on my site too!
Quick Dinner Ideas for Busy Weeknights
What’s not to love about dinner being ready in just 30 minutes total? That speedy cook time turns this into one of the absolute best Quick Dinner Ideas you can keep in your back pocket. Seriously, sear the chicken, make the sauce, toss everything together, and you’re minutes away from eating!
Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Parmesan
When gathering your supplies for this dish, precision really helps make sure that sauce comes out just right. Remember, weighing things like the chicken breast ensures perfect sizing for that 3-4 minute sear! Don’t skip grating the cheese fresh; it melts so much better.
Here is everything you need to pull this delicious meal together. If you’re looking for other comfort classics, my Chicken and Dumplings recipe is another absolute keeper!
- 600 grams skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon cooking sea salt or kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil (your favorite skillet oil works!)
- 5-6 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
- ½ cup thickened cream (you know, the heavy stuff!)
- A tiny pinch of dried chilli flakes (only if you like a little kick!)
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 200 grams baby leaf spinach
See? Nothing complicated, just beautiful flavors waiting to marry in that skillet!
Essential Equipment for Making Creamy Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Parmesan
You don’t need a dozen fancy gadgets for this one, which is another reason I love it so much for a busy night! Setting up with the right tools keeps everything flowing smoothly, especially when you’re juggling searing chicken and making the sauce right after.
Make sure you have these few things ready to go:
- A nice large skillet—one you know heats evenly is best!
- A sturdy spatula or wooden spoon for scraping up those flavorful browned bits.
- A reliable cutting board and knife for prepping the chicken and mincing that fresh garlic.
Having these handy means you won’t have to hunt around the kitchen while the garlic threatens to burn!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Creamy Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Parmesan
Okay, this is the fun part! Making this chicken isn’t complicated, but moving quickly between steps is key, especially when you hit that garlic. We want happy, golden garlic, not sad, burned garlic, got it? Make sure your chicken is ready to go before your pan even hits the heat. If you are looking for other fast meals, my Quick Broccoli Pasta takes hardly any time at all!
Preparing and Searing the Chicken
First things first, cut your chicken breasts into big, nice chunks—think 2-bite size, maybe 2×2 inches if you’re measuring. Toss those lovely pieces in a bowl with your salt, thyme, and pepper. Get everything coated evenly. Now, heat up your oil in that big skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, lay the chicken in there. Cook it for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side until it looks golden and is just cooked through. I always pull it out and cover it with foil on a plate to rest—this keeps it tender while we make the sauce in the same pan. If you prefer hands-off cooking, check out my Easy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes!
Building the Creamy Garlic Sauce Base
See those yummy brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pan? Those are flavor gold! Drop your minced garlic right into the hot pan—just toss it around constantly for about 60 seconds. Don’t let it darken too much! Next, pour in your chicken stock and that splash of white wine vinegar. Grab your spatula and scrape up all those stuck bits—that’s called deglazing, and it makes the sauce incredible. Let that simmer down until it’s reduced by half, maybe just a minute.
Now, stir in the heavy cream and those optional chili flakes. Keep stirring until it starts bubbling gently and thickening up just a bit. Once it looks velvety, turn the heat down a touch and sprinkle in that finely grated Parmesan cheese. Whisk it until it’s completely melted and smooth. That’s the backbone of our amazing sauce right there!
Finishing the Creamy Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Parmesan
Time to bring back the star of the show! Gently put the rested chicken pieces back into the creamy sauce. Follow that right up by dumping in that 200 grams of baby spinach. Cook it low and slow, stirring everything around. You want to gently turn the chicken and spinach until all that spinach has wilted down beautifully and the whole dish is piping hot. That’s it! Dinner magic complete.
Tips for Making the Best Creamy Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Parmesan
Seriously, the difference between good creamy chicken and *amazing* creamy chicken is all in the little details we pay attention to during cooking. Don’t let anyone tell you that using garlic powder is the same as fresh—it’s just not the same vibrant flavor you get from smelling those fresh cloves hit the hot oil!
The biggest tip I can give you is about the garlic: keep that heat medium for the first minute after you add it. If your pan is too raging hot from the chicken, the garlic will burn instantly, and we can’t save a burnt sauce! Scrape up every bit when you deglaze; that fond is where all the depth comes from. If you want to see how that creamy sauce goodness works with red meat, you have to try my Steak with Garlic Cream Sauce recipe!
For thickness, just let the sauce reduce for a minute or two longer before adding the cheese. Patience pays off here; you want something that coats the back of your spoon gently.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Creamy Garlic Chicken
I always tell people that while the core flavor profile here—garlic, cream, Parmesan—is non-negotiable for the best taste, you have some flexibility if you’re missing something small. Cooking should always be forgiving; that’s the beauty of an intuitive home cook, right?
Let’s talk about the cream first. I insist on the thickened cream (heavy cream) because that high fat content is what helps the sauce achieve that beautiful, velvety texture without breaking when the heat is on. If you’re in a pinch and must substitute, you can try using half-and-half, but be warned: you’ll need to simmer it longer to reduce it and thicken it up naturally, or your sauce will be much thinner. It builds confidence knowing you can adjust when needed!
For the herbs, dried thyme is fantastic because it’s so robust, but if you only have dried oregano or even some dried Italian seasoning, go ahead and use a teaspoon of that instead. Just taste as you go!
Regarding salt and pepper: trust your palate! If you’re using a high-sodium chicken stock, you might need less salt during the initial chicken seasoning. Always add a little during the initial seasoning, then taste the finished sauce right before you add the chicken back in. If it needs a little brightness beyond the vinegar, add a tiny extra crack of pepper or another whisper of salt. It’s your kitchen, make it taste exactly how you like it!
Serving Suggestions for Creamy Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Parmesan
So, you have this gorgeous, rich, saucy chicken—now what goes underneath it? This is honestly one of the most versatile Chicken Breast Dinner Ideas because the creamy garlic sauce begs for something sturdy to soak it all up. You simply must serve this with mounds of creamy mashed potatoes; they are my number one choice!
If potatoes aren’t your thing tonight, plain rice is a wonderful, neutral carrier for all that flavor. Or, you can absolutely serve it over your favorite pasta—fettuccine or penne works beautifully because the sauce clings so well.
My extra tip, especially if you’re serving guests, is to have some really crusty bread on the side. You absolutely cannot let any of that garlic-Parmesan sauce go to waste! Trust me, dipping some good crusty bread into the leftovers is a game-changer. For a rice-based variation, you might want to check out my post on Rice Dish with French Onion Soup for future inspiration!
Storing and Reheating Your Creamy Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Parmesan
Even the best meals sometimes become leftovers, and we want to make sure we treat that leftover creamy goodness right! This dish stores surprisingly well, but you have to be careful when reheating the sauce, since dairy-based sauces can sometimes get a little strange on high heat.
I find that this Creamy Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Parmesan keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for about three to four days. Make sure you get it into an airtight container as soon as it cools down a bit. You don’t want it sitting out too long, especially with all that delicious cream!
The Best Way to Reheat Creamy Dishes
Forget the microwave if you can manage it! While a microwave is fast, it often scorches the edges of the sauce or makes the dairy split. The absolute best way to bring this back to life is gently, right back on the stovetop.
Transfer your leftovers to a skillet—the same one you cooked it in, if you’re feeling lazy about dishes! Set the heat to low. If the sauce looks a little thick when you first put it in, just stir in a teaspoon or two of extra chicken stock or even just plain water. This helps loosen it up without sacrificing flavor.
Stir consistently over that low heat until it’s warmed all the way through and the spinach is happy again. Do not let it boil! Boiling high-fat sauces is how you get that grainy texture we are trying to avoid. It’s so simple, and you’ll have that wonderfully comforting flavor back on your plate in under five minutes. If you love creamy skillet meals, you might also want to look at my Creamy Chicken Spinach Bake for a slightly different texture!
If you absolutely must use the microwave, use 50% power and heat in 30-second bursts, stirring well after every burst until it’s warm. It’s not my first choice, but hey, sometimes we’re in a real rush!
Frequently Asked Questions About This Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe
I hear from so many of you asking just a few little things when you first try a new recipe, and that’s totally normal! It’s hard to step away from what you usually do, but that’s why I want to clear up any last-minute doubts so you can jump right into making this incredible dish. If you’re looking for even more ways to get healthy chicken on the table, check out my collection of Easy Healthy Chicken Dinners!
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this Creamy Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Parmesan?
Oh, absolutely! Chicken thighs are fantastic, and they bring a little more richness to the pan because they have a bit more fat. The only real adjustment you need to make is in timing. Since thighs are generally thicker and have more connective tissue to break down, you’ll want to sear them for a minute or two longer than the breasts—maybe 5 minutes per side to ensure they are beautifully browned before you set them aside. They handle the simmering time in the sauce really well, so don’t worry about them drying out!
How do I make this a healthier dinner recipe without losing flavor?
That’s a fantastic question, because we want all the flavor, but sometimes we just want to lighten up the calories a bit! To keep this firmly in the Healthy Dinner Recipes category, the first thing I suggest is subbing out the heavy cream for half-and-half. Now, you must simmer the sauce a bit longer to get that thickness back—half-and-half doesn’t have as much fat to hold its shape, so give it time to reduce. Secondly, just use more spinach! You can honestly put in 300g instead of 200g, and it cooks down to almost nothing, giving you extra nutrients without changing the core flavor profile at all.
Is this considered one of the best Simple Chicken Recipes?
In my book? A resounding yes! I truly believe it is one of the very best Simple Chicken Recipes out there. Why? Because it uses pantry staples and standard chicken breasts, but the combination of fresh garlic, good quality Parmesan, and that tiny touch of acidity from the vinegar makes it taste gourmet. You get maximum flavor payoff for very minimal effort and cook time—that’s the definition of simple perfection to me!
Nutritional Estimates for Creamy Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Parmesan
Now, I know some of you are tracking macros or just curious about what’s going into your body, so I always like to give a general idea of the nutritional breakdown for this dish. Remember, these numbers are just estimates based on the specific ingredients and amounts listed in the recipe—if you use tons of extra butter or substitute the cream, things will shift a bit!
This dish offers fantastic protein thanks to the chicken, which is great for feeling full and satisfied. You can find tons of other lighter options in my healthy recipes for weight loss section, but even this creamy flavor bomb balances out nicely.
Here is the breakdown per serving (Yields 4 servings):
- Calories: About 450
- Protein: A solid 40 grams!
- Total Fat: Around 28 grams (watch that saturated fat, that’s the cream and cheese doing their work!)
- Carbohydrates: Low, about 8 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Sugar: Only 4 grams
- Sodium: Approximately 650 mg
It’s a hearty, satisfying meal that proves healthy eating doesn’t mean giving up on that wonderful, rich comfort food taste we all crave. If you use less salt during the initial seasoning, you can definitely bring that sodium number down a touch!
Share Your Experience Making This Creamy Garlic Chicken
Now that you’ve whipped up this dreamy Creamy Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Parmesan, I truly hope your kitchen smelled as amazing as mine does when I make it!
This recipe is all about connection, whether it’s connecting with family over dinner or just connecting with the joy of making something truly delicious easily. I would be over the moon if you’d take just a second to let me know how it turned out for you in the comments below.
Did it hit that perfect level of creamy comfort you were hoping for? Tell me: what did you choose to serve it with? Were you team mashed potatoes, or did you go for rice or pasta this time?
If this recipe saved your weeknight and brought that warm, cozy feeling to your table, please consider leaving it a quick rating—five stars if you loved it! Your feedback helps other home cooks decide to try it out, and sharing your successes means the world to me. Happy cooking, friends!
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Creamy Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Parmesan
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
Make this comforting, one-pan creamy garlic chicken dish featuring tender chicken, fresh spinach, and rich Parmesan cheese. It is a reliable weeknight favorite.
Ingredients
- 600 g skinless boneless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon cooking sea salt or kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 5–6 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
- ½ cup thickened cream (heavy cream)
- pinch dried chilli flakes (optional)
- ⅓ cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 200 g baby leaf spinach
Instructions
- Slice the chicken into large chunks (2-bite sized or 2×2 inch). Add the chicken to a bowl with the salt, thyme, and pepper. Mix to coat evenly.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until just cooked through.
- Set the chicken aside on a plate and cover with foil. Add the garlic to the pan. Cook for 1 minute, stirring often to prevent burning.
- Add the stock and vinegar. Deglaze the pan using a spatula to remove stuck bits. Simmer and reduce for about 1 minute, or until reduced by half.
- Add the cream and chilli flakes and stir. Bring back to a simmer and let it reduce and thicken slightly.
- Add the parmesan cheese and stir until melted through.
- Add the chicken back to the pan, along with the spinach. Cook, stirring and turning everything until the spinach is wilted and the dish is hot.
- Serve over mashed potato, rice, or pasta.
Notes
- Weigh ingredients when a weight is provided for best results.
- This dish pairs well with mashed potato, rice, or pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 13
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 40
- Cholesterol: 140
Keywords: Creamy Garlic Chicken, Spinach, Parmesan, Simple Chicken Recipes, Chicken Breast Dinner Ideas, Quick Dinner Ideas, Healthy Chicken Recipes, Family Dinner Ideas, Skillet Dinner