Lemon Spinach Parmesan Chicken Weeknight Winner
- Recipe Introduction
- Making the Magic: Ingredients You'll Need
- From Prep to Plate: How to Cook
- Ingredients & Equipment: Your Shopping List for Lemon Spinach Parmesan Chicken Fast
- Lemon Spinach Parmesan Chicken: Weeknight Winner!
- Recipe Notes for Your Lemon Spinach Parmesan Chicken Fast Feast!
- Frequently Asked Questions
- 📝 Recipe Card
Recipe Introduction
Quick Hook: Lemon Spinach Parmesan Chicken Fast!
Fancy a Lemon Spinach Parmesan Chicken Fast enough for a weeknight? Honestly, who doesn't? This recipe brings together bright lemon, creamy Parmesan, and healthy spinach. A real winner!
Brief Overview
This dish is inspired by classic Italian flavors. It's a meal that’s ready in about 35 minutes! This recipe makes 4 servings. So perfect for a small family.
Main Benefits: Spinach Chicken Recipe Healthy
This Spinach Chicken Recipe Healthy hits the spot. It's packed with protein and vitamins. The creamy sauce makes it feel indulgent! Serve it any night of the week! What makes this Creamy Lemon Chicken With Spinach special? The combination of fresh ingredients!
Craving comfort food but short on time? This is your go-to. Think of it as a hug in a pan, but with more nutrients. And less guilt!
Making the Magic: Ingredients You'll Need
Ready to get started? First, gather your ingredients. Don't worry. They're all easy to find. This One Pan Lemon Chicken Recipe is simple.
- For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
- ½ teaspoon onion powder.
- ¼ teaspoon salt.
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- For the Lemon Parmesan Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced.
- 5 ounces fresh spinach, roughly chopped.
- ¼ cup heavy cream.
- ¼ cup chicken broth.
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving.
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional).
Remember, fresh is best. Especially when it comes to lemons and spinach. You can use frozen spinach in a pinch. Just make sure to squeeze out the excess water.
From Prep to Plate: How to Cook
Alright, now for the fun part! Here's how to whip up this Lemon Parmesan Sauce infused chicken. I've made it foolproof. Even if you're prone to burning toast.
First, prep your chicken. Pat it dry and pound it thin. This helps it cook evenly. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Don't be shy with the seasonings.
Next, sear the chicken in olive oil until golden brown. Remove and set aside. Then, melt butter in the same pan. Sauté garlic until fragrant. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
Pour in heavy cream, chicken broth, and lemon juice. Simmer until slightly thickened. Stir in Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (if using). Season to taste.
Return the chicken to the pan. Spoon sauce over it. Heat through. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan and serve! Voila! You've got Chicken Spinach Cream Sauce .
Ingredients & Equipment: Your Shopping List for Lemon Spinach Parmesan Chicken Fast
Right, before we get our aprons on, let's make sure we've got everything we need. This Lemon Spinach Parmesan Chicken Fast recipe is all about speed and flavour.
I'm here to demystify the ingredients and tools you'll need to nail it. You know, the kind of meals with spinach dinners everyone raves about? This one is going to make it.
Main Ingredients: Quality Counts
First, the Chicken Spinach Cream Sauce stars of the show!
- Chicken breasts: 4 (about 6 oz / 170g each). Go for boneless, skinless. Pounding them thin is crucial , about ½ inch thickness.
- Olive oil: 1 tablespoon ( 15 ml ) - extra virgin, always a good shout.
- Garlic powder: 1 teaspoon ( 5 ml ). Adds a bit of extra flavour.
- Onion powder: ½ teaspoon ( 2.5 ml ).
- Salt: ¼ teaspoon ( 1.25 ml ).
- Black pepper: ¼ teaspoon ( 1.25 ml ).
- Butter: 1 tablespoon ( 15 g ) - unsalted.
- Garlic: 2 cloves , minced (about 2 tsp ). Fresh is best, honestly.
- Spinach: 5 ounces ( 140g ), fresh. Roughly chopped.
- Heavy cream: ¼ cup ( 60 ml ). Makes the Chicken Spinach Cream Sauce lovely and creamy!
- Chicken broth: ¼ cup ( 60 ml ). Low sodium is always a good idea.
- Lemon juice: 2 tablespoons ( 30 ml ), freshly squeezed. No bottled stuff, promise? This is key to that creamy lemon chicken with spinach flavour.
- Parmesan cheese: ¼ cup ( 25g ), grated, plus more for serving.
I always try to get decent quality chicken. It makes a massive difference to the final dish, doesn't it? Especially for these easy weeknight chicken recipes .
Seasoning Notes: The Secret Sauce
Let's talk flavour enhancers! The essential combo here is garlic, lemon, and Parmesan. It's what makes this dish sing. Red pepper flakes? A tiny pinch adds a nice kick.
If you're out of lemon, a splash of white wine vinegar can work in a pinch. But, for the lemon parmesan sauce , I would seriously try to have a lemon handy!
Equipment Needed: Keep it Simple
Okay, don't stress about fancy gadgets. I hate it when I see recipes calling for obscure things! For this one pan lemon chicken recipe , all you really need is:
- Large skillet (non-stick is your friend).
- Meat mallet or rolling pin (for pounding the chicken). Makes a big difference in the cooking time!
- Cutting board and knife. Obvious, right?
- Lemon juicer (optional, but saves your hands).
If you don't have a meat mallet, honestly, just use a rolling pin or even the bottom of a saucepan.
No sweat! That's how I made my parmesan crusted chicken spinach for years, before I got fancy and bought my self a proper one.
This Spinach Chicken Recipe Healthy doesn't need a lot of tools. Now, let's get cooking.
Lemon Spinach Parmesan Chicken: Weeknight Winner!
Right then, let's talk about this LEMON SPINACH PARMESAN CHICKEN Fast ! Honestly, it's a lifesaver on those nights when you can't face a takeaway.
Think quick, easy, and ridiculously tasty. This is also one of those Meals With Spinach Dinners the whole family will love.
Prep Steps to Speedy Success
First things first: get your mise en place sorted. That's just fancy talk for "get everything ready". Pound your chicken to about ½ inch thickness.
This is important for even cooking, you know? Then, chop your spinach, mince your garlic, and squeeze that lemon. Prepping this Chicken With Spinach ingredients upfront makes the whole process a doddle.
step-by-step to Lemon Spinach Parmesan Chicken Goodness
- Pat your chicken dry and season. I use garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium high heat. Cook the chicken for 5- 7 minutes per side. Aim for an internal temperature of 165° F/ 74° C .
- Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the same pan. Sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds . You’ll smell it when it's ready!
- Throw in 5 ounces of spinach and cook until it wilts, about 2- 3 minutes .
- Pour in 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup chicken broth, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Simmer for 2- 3 minutes . This is a Creamy Lemon Chicken With Spinach dream!
- Stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (if you're feeling brave). Season to taste.
- Pop the chicken back in the pan, spoon the sauce over, and heat through for 1- 2 minutes . Serve with extra Parmesan.
Pro Tips for The Best Lemon Parmesan Sauce
Don’t overcrowd the pan when searing the chicken. Trust me! Cook in batches if you need to, or the chicken will steam instead of sear.
If you’re after some Easy Weeknight Chicken Recipes , this one’s a winner. Also, fresh lemon juice is a must.
Bottled stuff just doesn’t cut it. This Parmesan Crusted Chicken Spinach is a must for that Spinach Chicken Recipe Healthy dinner.
Right, there you have it! This One Pan Lemon Chicken Recipe is so simple even I can't mess it up.
Go on, give it a go. I promise you will love this Chicken Spinach Cream Sauce .
Recipe Notes for Your Lemon Spinach Parmesan Chicken Fast Feast!
So, you're about to whip up some Lemon Spinach Parmesan Chicken Fast ! Ace! Before you dive in headfirst, let's chat about a few bits and bobs to ensure your dinner is absolutely spot on.
We’re not just making food, we are making Meals With Spinach Dinners , think of it as art, but tastier.
Serving Suggestions: Show Off Your Skills!
Presentation, innit? For plating, imagine you're on MasterChef . Seriously though, a swirl of the Creamy Lemon Chicken With Spinach sauce over the Parmesan Crusted Chicken Spinach looks fab.
Add a sprinkle of extra parmesan!
On sides? Oh, choices! Try buttered noodles, a fresh green salad, or roasted asparagus. A crisp, dry white wine complements the Lemon Parmesan Sauce beautifully! I feel you should give that a try.
Storage Tips: Keeping it Fresh
Got leftovers? No worries. The Chicken With Spinach keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store it in an airtight container, yeah?
Freezing isn't ideal as the cream sauce can separate a bit, but if you must , make sure the chicken is completely cooled first.
When reheating, go low and slow in a pan on the hob to avoid a split sauce. Honestly, though, it's best fresh!
Variations: Making it Your Own
Fancy a bit of a twist? For a Spinach Chicken Recipe Healthy swap, use light cream cheese for a lighter sauce. It’s a smart move!
Or, if you're feeling adventurous, throw in some sun-dried tomatoes for an extra pop of flavour. Seasonal swaps are simple! Courgettes or bell peppers work great in summer.
Nutrition Basics: Goodness in Every Bite
This One Pan Lemon Chicken Recipe is surprisingly good for you. Chicken is packed with protein, and spinach is a vitamin powerhouse.
The lemon adds vitamin C, and even the Parmesan brings a bit of calcium to the party.
Each serving clocks in around 350 calories, making it a great choice for a balanced meal. Easy Weeknight Chicken Recipes like this tick all the boxes!
I hope this has helped you, and feel free to experiment and tailor the recipe to your tastes. Give these Quick Chicken Dinner Ideas a try.
Happy cooking and enjoy your Lemon Spinach Parmesan Chicken Fast dinner! You've got this!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Lemon Spinach Parmesan Chicken actually fast to make, or is that just wishful thinking?
Absolutely! We're talking about a proper weeknight winner here. From start to finish, you're looking at around 35 minutes, which is less time than it takes to order a takeaway. Most of that time is just letting the chicken sizzle away while you whip up the yummy lemon spinach parmesan sauce.
Can I make this Lemon Spinach Parmesan Chicken Fast recipe ahead of time?
You can indeed prep some elements in advance! I wouldn't recommend fully cooking the chicken and sauce ahead of time, as the chicken can dry out. However, you can pound and season the chicken breasts and chop the spinach earlier in the day.
Store them separately in the fridge, and then it's just a quick sear and sauce job when you're ready to eat.
I'm not a huge fan of spinach. Can I substitute it with something else in this Lemon Spinach Parmesan Chicken recipe?
No worries! While spinach adds a lovely texture and nutritional boost, you can swap it out. Kale is a great alternative (just cook it a bit longer as it's tougher), or you could even use chopped broccoli florets. If you want to go really rogue, try some sun-dried tomatoes for a burst of flavor!
How should I store leftovers of this Lemon Spinach Parmesan Chicken? And how long will it last?
Store any leftover Lemon Spinach Parmesan Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It'll stay good for about 3-4 days. When reheating, do so gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave. Be careful not to overcook the chicken, or it might become dry.
What kind of Parmesan cheese is best for this Lemon Spinach Parmesan Chicken Fast dish?
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is always the best bet for this recipe! It melts beautifully into the sauce and adds a wonderful nutty flavor. Avoid the pre-grated stuff in the green can; it doesn't melt as well and lacks the same flavor depth.
You can use a microplane or a regular grater to get those lovely, fluffy shreds.
Is this recipe healthy? What are the nutritional considerations for this Lemon Spinach Parmesan Chicken Fast meal?
This recipe is a good source of protein and includes some healthy greens! To keep it even healthier, you could use a lighter cream (like half and-half) or reduce the amount of Parmesan cheese. Serving it with a side of whole grains or vegetables will also add more fiber and nutrients to your meal.
Check the nutritional information provided in the recipe for estimated values.
Lemon Spinach Parmesan Chicken Weeknight Winner
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 350 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 18g |
| Fiber | 2g |
