Description
A creamy, citrus-infused chicken dish that’s quick to prepare and perfect for weeknight meals or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking. Season them with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Toss thoroughly to ensure every piece is flavorful.
- Sear the chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt half of the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, ensuring it doesn’t burn. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up the flavorful browned bits from the skillet. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Combine ingredients: Slowly stir in the heavy cream, followed by the lemon juice and zest. Add the dried oregano and red pepper flakes, letting the sauce simmer and thicken for about 4-5 minutes. This step develops the rich, creamy flavor.
- Add the finishing touches: Stir in the fresh spinach and let it wilt before returning the chicken to the skillet. Add the remaining butter and toss everything until beautifully coated. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy chicken over your choice of cooked rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes. Sprinkle with grated parmesan and perhaps a dash of parsley or extra lemon zest for a pop of color. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
For a lighter sauce, use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream. You can also substitute spinach with kale or Swiss chard.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg