Description
Spinach & Mushroom Garlic Chicken Delight
A rich garlic cream sauce wraps tender chicken, mushrooms, and spinach for a low-carb, flavorful dinner!
Ingredients: Chicken, olive oil, butter, garlic, mushrooms, spinach, cream, Parmesan, chicken broth, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning.
Instructions:
Cook chicken in olive oil; set aside.
Sauté mushrooms and garlic in butter.
Stir in cream, Parmesan, and broth.
Add spinach, return chicken, and simmer.
#CreamyAndDreamy
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these detailed instructions for perfect results every time. Start by patting your chicken breasts dry and seasoning them generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil. In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned. Add 4-5 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in 1 cup of chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Bring to a gentle simmer. Add 5 ounces of fresh spinach and stir until wilted. Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over it. Simmer for 3-4 minutes to heat through.
Serving Suggestions
This rich and creamy dish pairs beautifully with sides that complement its flavors. For a low-carb option, serve over cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, or mashed cauliflower. If carbs aren’t a concern, it’s excellent with angel hair pasta, fettuccine, or a crusty baguette to soak up the delicious sauce. For a complete meal, add a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
How-to Summary
In brief: Season and pan-sear chicken until golden. Remove. Sauté mushrooms in butter, then add garlic. Deglaze with broth, then stir in cream and Parmesan to create the sauce. Wilt spinach in the sauce, return chicken to the pan, and simmer until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen spinach? Yes. Thaw and thoroughly squeeze out all excess liquid before adding it to the sauce to prevent watering it down.
How can I make this dish dairy-free? Substitute the butter with olive oil, the cream with full-fat coconut milk or a cashew cream, and use a nutritional yeast or vegan Parmesan alternative.
What’s the best way to store and reheat leftovers? Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream if the sauce has thickened too much.
Can I use a different protein? Absolutely. Thinly sliced beef steak, shrimp, or even firm tofu (pressed and pan-seared) would work wonderfully with this garlic cream sauce.
My sauce is too thin. How can I thicken it? Let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce. Alternatively, create a slurry with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of cold water, then whisk it into the simmering sauce.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid overcrowding the pan when cooking the chicken, as this will steam it instead of creating a golden sear. Do not burn the garlic when sautéing; add it just after the mushrooms are soft and cook for only about 60 seconds until fragrant. Ensure your heavy cream is at room temperature before adding it to the hot pan to prevent curdling. Finally, do not skip deglazing the pan with broth, as those browned bits are packed with flavor essential for the sauce.
Conclusion
This Spinach & Mushroom Garlic Chicken Delight is a restaurant-quality meal that is deceptively simple to make at home. The combination of tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and vibrant spinach in a luxurious garlic-Parmesan cream sauce is truly irresistible. It’s a versatile, satisfying dish that fits into a low-carb lifestyle but is sure to please any crowd. Master this one-pan wonder for a reliable go-to dinner that delivers maximum flavor with minimal fuss.
