Creamy Garlic Mushroom Chicken with Spinach Recipe
This comforting and hearty dish features tender chicken breasts in a rich, creamy garlic sauce with fresh spinach and mushrooms. Perfect for a cozy dinner, it’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor.
- Author: Clara
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs total)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 8 ounces cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium recommended)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Begin by rinsing the chicken breasts under cold water and patting them dry with paper towels. Season them generously with salt and pepper. This takes about 5 minutes.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Let the oil heat for about 1-2 minutes.
- Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. They should reach an internal temperature of 75 °C. Then remove them from the skillet and place them on a plate.
- In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter and let it melt. Add the sliced mushrooms and sauté for about 4-5 minutes until they are soft and lightly browned. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter.
- Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of chicken broth. Stir everything well and bring the mixture to a simmer to thicken slightly. This takes about 3-5 minutes.
- Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, and 1 teaspoon of paprika into the sauce and stir well. Let the flavors meld for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the roughly chopped spinach and stir until it wilts, which takes about 2 minutes.
- Return the chicken breasts to the skillet and let them simmer in the sauce for another 2-3 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Finally, stir in ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese and mix everything well. Taste the sauce and add more salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the dish hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 50 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
Keywords: A common mistake is cooking the chicken too long, which makes it dry. Use a meat thermometer to achieve the perfect doneness. A large, heavy skillet ensures even heat distribution, making it easier to cook the chicken without sticking. The ratios of cream and broth are crucial for the sauce's consistency; feel free to experiment with these amounts based on your creaminess preference. Use fresh herbs instead of dried when possible for a more intense flavor.