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Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken with Spinach Recipe

Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken with Spinach Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 20 reviews

This Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken with Spinach is a rich, flavorful dish combining tender seared chicken thighs with a luscious garlic butter sauce, fresh spinach, and crispy bacon. Enhanced with Italian herbs and Parmesan cheese, it’s a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for a family dinner that balances creaminess with a hint of spice.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)
  • 2 tbsp butter (or ghee)

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped (or shallots)
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced (or garlic powder)
  • 3 cups baby spinach leaves (or Swiss chard/kale)

Liquids & Broth

  • 1/3 cup chicken broth (or vegetable stock)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream)
  • 3/4 cup milk (or unsweetened almond milk)

Flavors & Seasonings

  • 1/2 cup crispy bacon, cooked and diced (or turkey bacon)
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • A pinch of crushed chili pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or Pecorino Romano/nutritional yeast)
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
  • 1 tbsp water (to mix with cornstarch)

Instructions

  1. Season the Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken thighs generously with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for 5-8 minutes on each side until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add butter, chopped onions, and minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute until onions are translucent and aromatic.
  4. Deglaze and Add Bacon: Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping any browned bits off the bottom. Add the cooked diced bacon and cook for 1-2 minutes to combine flavors.
  5. Add Cream and Milk: Stir in the heavy cream and milk, mixing well to create a creamy base.
  6. Season the Sauce: Add Italian seasoning, oregano, crushed chili pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and infuse the sauce with herbs and heat.
  7. Wilt the Spinach: Add the baby spinach leaves and cook for a few minutes until just wilted.
  8. Add Cheese and Mix: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated into the sauce.
  9. Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water until smooth. Pour this mixture into the skillet and stir continuously as the sauce thickens.
  10. Combine and Simmer: Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, coating them with the sauce. Let everything simmer together for a couple of minutes to meld flavors and heat through.

Notes

  • For a low-calorie version, substitute heavy cream with skimmed milk and reduce butter.
  • Dairy-free substitutions include coconut cream for heavy cream and nutritional yeast for Parmesan.
  • Vegetarian adaptations involve using vegetable broth, omitting bacon, and adding mushrooms or tofu for protein.
  • You can switch out spinach with kale or Swiss chard for similar texture and flavor.
  • Adjust chili flakes to control the spice level according to your preference.
  • To make the sauce thicker, increase the cornstarch slightly; for a thinner sauce, add more broth.
  • Always taste and adjust seasoning gradually during cooking for best results.

Nutrition

Keywords: Garlic Butter Chicken, Creamy Chicken, Spinach Chicken Recipe, One-Pan Chicken Dinner, Italian Chicken with Spinach, Easy Chicken Dinner

Find it online: https://dishedbydana.com/creamy-garlic-butter-chicken-with-spinach-recipe/