Tomato Spinach Chicken (Print View)
Tender chicken in a savory tomato-spinach skillet, ready in 40 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 cups fresh spinach leaves, washed and roughly chopped
03 - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved (or 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained)
04 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Liquids & Oils
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
→ Dairy
08 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
→ Spices & Seasonings
09 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
11 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
# How to Make:
01 - Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides evenly with salt, freshly ground black pepper, dried oregano, and dried basil.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
03 - In the same skillet, add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
04 - Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until they begin to soften and release their juices. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
05 - Stir the chopped spinach into the skillet and cook for approximately 2 minutes until just wilted.
06 - Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the tomato-spinach mixture. Simmer together for 2 to 3 minutes until the chicken is heated through.
07 - Transfer to plates and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately over rice, pasta, or cauliflower rice for a complete meal.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one skillet, which means cleanup is almost nonexistent and the flavors build on each other in the same pan.
- The tomatoes burst into their own sauce, so you get a rich, saucy dish without needing a single can of anything processed.
- It is naturally low carb and gluten free, which makes it effortless to share with almost anyone at your table.
02 -
- Do not skip the resting step after searing the chicken because the juices redistribute and will run out if you cut immediately.
- Crowding the pan with more than four breasts at once drops the temperature too low to get a proper sear, so cook in batches if needed.
03 -
- Use a cast iron skillet if you have one because it holds heat evenly and creates a much better crust on the chicken than nonstick.
- Save a spoonful of pasta water or broth before adding it to the pan because you might need to loosen the sauce if it reduces too much while simmering.