Finding delicious and satisfying dinner options that also align with a low-carb lifestyle can sometimes feel like a challenge.
We all crave those comforting, hearty meals that leave us feeling full and happy, but without the guilt of excess carbohydrates. The good news is, you don’t have to sacrifice flavor or satisfaction to eat healthily.
This recipe is designed to bring that comforting feeling to your dinner table, proving that healthy eating can be incredibly enjoyable and easy to prepare. Get ready to discover a fantastic meal that will quickly become a family favorite, perfect for busy weeknights or a relaxed weekend dinner.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Creamy Low-Carb Chicken and Spinach Skillet
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This creamy low-carb chicken and spinach skillet is a delicious and satisfying meal that’s quick to prepare. Featuring tender chicken, fresh spinach, and a rich, cheesy sauce, it’s perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Prepare the chicken: Start by patting the chicken cubes dry with paper towels. Season them with a pinch of salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides and mostly cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
2. Saute the aromatics: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook for 3-5 minutes until softened and translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms, cooking for another 3-4 minutes until the mushrooms have softened and released their moisture.
3. Build the creamy sauce base: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. Bring the broth to a simmer, then stir in the heavy cream, softened cream cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Whisk continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
4. Incorporate the greens: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the fresh spinach to the skillet, stirring gently until it wilts into the sauce, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
5. Combine and finish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, stirring to coat it evenly with the creamy sauce. Allow it to simmer gently for another 2-3 minutes, ensuring the chicken is thoroughly heated through and absorbs the flavors of the sauce.
6. Add the cheese and serve: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s fully incorporated and melted. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve immediately, garnished with a little extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: skillet
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Keywords: low carb, chicken, spinach, creamy, skillet, easy, dinner, healthy, comfort food, quick
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe is a true winner for anyone looking to enjoy a wholesome, low-carb meal without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s perfect for busy parents, health-conscious individuals, or anyone who simply wants a delicious dinner that’s easy to prepare. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the way it masterfully combines flavors and textures to create a truly satisfying experience. You’ll love how quickly it comes together, making it an ideal choice for those hectic weeknights when time is of the essence. It’s also incredibly versatile, meaning you can easily adapt it to suit different tastes or whatever ingredients you have on hand. Serve it as a main course for a family dinner, or portion it out for meal prep throughout the week. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a hearty meal that feels indulgent but keeps your carb count in check, proving that healthy eating can be both convenient and incredibly flavorful.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for this low-carb comfort food is straightforward, focusing on fresh, wholesome items that are readily available. You’ll find that most of these are likely already in your pantry or easily picked up during your next grocery run. The key is to use quality ingredients to ensure the best flavor and nutritional value.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
For simple substitutions, you can easily swap chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer a richer flavor, just be sure to trim any excess fat. If mushrooms aren’t your favorite, bell peppers or zucchini can be excellent low-carb alternatives. For a dairy-free option, coconut cream can replace heavy cream, and a dairy-free cream cheese substitute can be used. Just be mindful that these substitutions might slightly alter the flavor profile. As for the Italian seasoning, feel free to use individual herbs like dried oregano, basil, and thyme if you have them on hand.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for efficiency, ensuring you can get a delicious, healthy meal on the table without a lengthy commitment. It’s perfect for those evenings when you want something homemade but are short on time.
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this comforting low-carb dinner is a breeze with these clear, easy-to-follow steps. Pay attention to the cues to ensure perfect results every time.
- Prepare the chicken: Start by patting the chicken cubes dry with paper towels. This helps them brown nicely. Season them with a pinch of salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides and mostly cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the aromatics: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook for 3-5 minutes until softened and translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms, cooking for another 3-4 minutes until the mushrooms have softened and released their moisture. The fragrant aroma of the garlic and onion will fill your kitchen, signaling the next step.
- Build the creamy sauce base: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. This adds tremendous flavor to the sauce. Bring the broth to a simmer, then stir in the heavy cream, softened cream cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Whisk continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Incorporate the greens: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the fresh spinach to the skillet, stirring gently until it wilts into the sauce, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes. The vibrant green of the spinach will contrast beautifully with the creamy sauce.
- Combine and finish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, stirring to coat it evenly with the creamy sauce. Allow it to simmer gently for another 2-3 minutes, ensuring the chicken is thoroughly heated through and absorbs the flavors of the sauce.
- Add the cheese and serve: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s fully incorporated and melted, making the sauce even richer. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve immediately, garnished with a little extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This versatile low-carb dinner offers plenty of room for creativity, allowing you to tailor it to your family’s preferences or what you have on hand. It’s designed to be flexible and fit into a busy lifestyle.
For a kid-friendly twist, you can serve this over a small portion of cauliflower rice or even a few strands of zucchini noodles, which can be a fun way to introduce new textures. If your kids aren’t keen on mushrooms, simply omit them or replace them with finely diced bell peppers. Another idea is to shred the cooked chicken before adding it back to the sauce, making it easier for little ones to eat.
To vary the flavor profile, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end to brighten up the sauce. You could also stir in some sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil, drained) for a burst of umami. For a heartier meal, consider adding some cooked asparagus spears or broccoli florets directly into the skillet with the spinach.
This dish is fantastic served on its own as a complete meal. However, it also pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad dressed with a light vinaigrette, or a side of steamed green beans or roasted asparagus. For those who enjoy a little extra crunch, a sprinkle of toasted slivered almonds or pumpkin seeds can be a delightful topping. It’s also excellent for meal prepping; simply divide into individual containers for quick, healthy lunches or dinners throughout the week.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even the most straightforward recipes can have a few pitfalls. Knowing what to watch out for will help you achieve perfect results every time with this low-carb comfort food.
One common mistake is overcooking the chicken. Chicken breasts can dry out quickly, becoming tough and less enjoyable. To avoid this, cook the chicken until it’s just browned on the outside and mostly cooked through, then remove it from the skillet. It will finish cooking when you add it back to the sauce, ensuring it remains tender and juicy.
Another slip-up can be not allowing the cream cheese to soften before adding it to the sauce. If the cream cheese is cold and hard, it will be difficult to whisk smoothly into the sauce, potentially leaving lumps. Always let your cream cheese sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or gently warm it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, to ensure it incorporates seamlessly.
Overcrowding the skillet when browning the chicken or sautéing the vegetables can also lead to issues. If there’s too much in the pan, the ingredients will steam instead of brown, resulting in less flavor development. If you have a smaller skillet, cook the chicken in two batches to ensure proper browning.
Finally, not scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan after cooking the chicken and vegetables is a missed opportunity for flavor. These “fond” bits are packed with savory goodness. When you add the chicken broth, make sure to use a wooden spoon to scrape them loose; they will dissolve into the sauce and significantly enhance its depth of flavor.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This low-carb dinner is not only delicious fresh but also holds up well for future meals, making it an excellent candidate for meal prepping. Proper storage and reheating are key to maintaining its wonderful texture and flavor.
To store leftovers, allow the dish to cool completely to room temperature, which usually takes about 30-45 minutes. Then, transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2-3 months. When freezing, ensure there’s minimal
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
