Creamy Garlic Chicken & Spinach Skillet
A creamy one-pan chicken dinner with garlic, spinach, and simple ingredients—easy enough for a busy weeknight and satisfying enough for the whole family.
Nutrition is approximate and depends on ingredient brands and portion sizes. Per serving: about 470 calories, 42g protein, 31g fat, 6g total carbs, 1g fiber, 5g net carbs.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup chicken broth, as needed to thin the sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter, optional
- Red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- 1
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil.
- 2
Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- 3
Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for about 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate.
- 4
Lower the heat to medium. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- 5
Add the heavy cream and Parmesan. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce begins to thicken.
- 6
Add a small splash of chicken broth if the sauce is too thick.
- 7
Stir in the spinach and cook until wilted.
- 8
Return the chicken to the skillet and stir to coat it in the sauce.
- 9
Simmer for 2–3 minutes so the flavors come together.
- 10
Add butter or red pepper flakes if desired, then serve warm.
Tips and substitutions
- Make it faster: use pre-cut chicken tenders or leftover cooked chicken and reduce the simmering time.
- Add vegetables: mushrooms or chopped zucchini work well with the spinach.
- Meal prep: refrigerate leftovers for up to 3–4 days and reheat gently so the sauce stays creamy.
- Lower-cost option: use boneless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts.
Feeding the whole family
Serve pasta, rice, or potatoes on the side for family members who are not eating keto — the chicken and sauce stay exactly the same.
Related reading
Keep building your keto kitchen with a few favorite guides:
- 5 Easy Keto Dinner Recipes — more weeknight wins like this one.
- High-Protein Keto After 40 — how much protein women really need after 40.
- Foods Not to Eat on Keto — a quick check on what to skip.
- Keto After 40 Starter Kit — a free 7-day meal plan and grocery list.
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The Free Keto After 40 Starter Kit
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