Creamy Chicken Mushroom Spinach Skillet Recipe
This Creamy Chicken Mushroom Spinach Skillet is a rich and flavorful one-pan dinner featuring tender seared chicken breasts cooked in a luscious creamy mushroom and spinach sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it combines juicy chicken with sautéed mushrooms, garlic, and fresh spinach, all coated in a parmesan-infused cream sauce. Perfect for a comforting yet quick weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sautéed Mushrooms and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms (cremini or button)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach (or 1.5 cups frozen, thawed and drained)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or thyme for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear. Season both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Mushrooms: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes until they release their moisture and turn golden brown, developing rich flavor.
- Cook the Garlic and Spinach: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add the fresh spinach (or thawed and drained frozen spinach) and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a gentle simmer, scraping any browned bits from the skillet bottom to incorporate deeper flavor. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly. Season with optional red pepper flakes, and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the creamy mushroom and spinach sauce. Spoon sauce over the chicken to coat it thoroughly. Let everything simmer together for 3-4 minutes so the flavors meld. Garnish with fresh parsley or thyme, then serve hot.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a moister, more flavorful dish.
- If using frozen spinach, ensure it is fully thawed and squeezed of excess water to prevent a watery sauce.
- Red pepper flakes add a subtle heat but can be omitted if preferred mild.
- Heavy cream can be substituted with half-and-half for a lighter version but the sauce may be less rich.
- Serve this dish over rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta for a complete meal.
Keywords: Creamy chicken recipe, skillet dinner, mushroom spinach chicken, one-pan meal, quick chicken recipe