This easy chicken recipe is a weeknight lifesaver, delivering a satisfying dinner that’s also perfect for healthy meal prep.
If you’re looking for a protein-packed dish that’s both delicious and simple to prepare, you’ve come to the right place. It’s designed for busy individuals or couples who want to eat well without spending hours in the kitchen.
Forget complicated techniques or long ingredient lists. This recipe focuses on fresh flavors and straightforward steps, ensuring a successful outcome every time. Whether you’re cooking for tonight or planning your meals for the next few days, this chicken dish is a fantastic addition to your repertoire, offering convenience and great taste in every bite.
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
- Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Quick and Easy Skillet Chicken with Tomatoes and Spinach
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
This easy chicken recipe is a weeknight lifesaver, delivering a satisfying dinner that’s also perfect for healthy meal prep. It’s designed for busy individuals or couples who want to eat well without spending hours in the kitchen, focusing on fresh flavors and straightforward steps.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create two thinner cutlets, or pound them to an even 1/2-inch thickness.
2. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub this mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken cutlets.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken. Cook for 4-6 minutes per side, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. An internal temperature of 165 F (74 C) indicates doneness.
4. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the same skillet. Saute for 2-3 minutes, just until they start to soften and burst slightly.
5. Add the fresh spinach to the skillet with the tomatoes. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring gently, until the spinach wilts down.
6. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the chicken and vegetables. Cover the skillet for 1 minute to allow the feta to warm and slightly melt.
7. Divide the chicken and vegetable mixture between two plates. Serve hot and enjoy your protein-packed meal!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: skillet
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with vegetables
Keywords: chicken, skillet, easy, healthy, weeknight, meal prep, spinach, tomatoes, feta
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe is a true gem for anyone seeking a practical, healthy, and flavorful meal solution. 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 perfect for busy professionals, parents, or anyone who appreciates a delicious home-cooked meal without the fuss. The high protein content keeps you feeling full and energized, making it a smart option for lunch or dinner. It’s also incredibly versatile – serve it as a main course with a simple side, or portion it out for grab-and-go lunches throughout the week. This dish is especially well-suited for two people, providing generous servings for dinner with enough left over for a healthy meal prep option the next day.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients ahead of time makes the cooking process smooth and enjoyable. This recipe uses readily available items you can easily find at any grocery store, ensuring a stress-free shopping experience. We focus on fresh, wholesome components that contribute to both the flavor and nutritional value of the dish.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
For simple substitutions, you can easily swap boneless, skinless chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer a slightly richer flavor and more tender texture. If you don’t have Italian seasoning, a mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme will work just as well. Feel free to use diced bell peppers or zucchini in place of or in addition to the cherry tomatoes for added vegetable variety. For a dairy-free option, omit the feta cheese or use a plant-based crumbled cheese alternative.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for speed and efficiency, making it perfect for busy schedules.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes Total Time: 25-30 minutes
This realistic timeframe ensures you can have a delicious, healthy meal on the table in under half an hour, from start to finish. The prep involves minimal chopping, and the cooking is straightforward, allowing you to enjoy your meal without a long wait.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Follow these clear, simple steps to create your delicious and healthy chicken dish. Paying attention to the visual cues will help ensure perfect results every time.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps them brown better. Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create two thinner cutlets, or pound them to an even 1/2-inch thickness. This ensures even cooking.
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub this mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken cutlets. You should see a uniform coating of herbs and spices on the chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken. Cook for 4-6 minutes per side, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. An internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) indicates doneness. The chicken should look opaque throughout.
- Add Vegetables: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the same skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, just until they start to soften and burst slightly. They should look vibrant and slightly wrinkled.
- Wilt the Spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the skillet with the tomatoes. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring gently, until the spinach wilts down. It will significantly reduce in volume and become a deeper green.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the chicken and vegetables. Cover the skillet for 1 minute to allow the feta to warm and slightly melt. The cheese should look soft and slightly gooey.
- Serve Immediately: Divide the chicken and vegetable mixture between two plates. Serve hot and enjoy your protein-packed meal!
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This versatile chicken recipe can be adapted in many ways to suit different tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can skip the feta cheese and serve the chicken with a side of pasta or rice, or even cut the cooked chicken into strips and serve with a mild dipping sauce like ranch or honey mustard.
To make it a heartier meal, consider serving the chicken and vegetable mixture over a bed of quinoa, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice for a carb-light option. It also pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad or roasted asparagus. For a party or buffet, you could slice the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and serve it warm with the tomatoes and spinach as a flavorful appetizer, perhaps with toothpicks.
Optional toppings can elevate the dish further. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving brightens all the flavors. A sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley adds a lovely aromatic touch. For a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be added with the seasonings. You could also drizzle a balsamic glaze over the finished dish for a touch of sweetness and tang.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Being aware of these can help you achieve perfect results every time.
One frequent mistake is overcooking the chicken. This leads to dry, tough meat. To avoid this, always slice or pound your chicken breasts to an even thickness. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). As soon as it reaches this, remove it from the heat.
Another common issue is not patting the chicken dry before seasoning and cooking. Excess moisture prevents the chicken from browning properly, resulting in a steamed rather than seared exterior. Always use paper towels to thoroughly dry the chicken surfaces.
Overcrowding the skillet is another slip-up. When too much food is in the pan, the temperature drops, and the food steams instead of searing, leading to less flavor and an unappealing texture. If you’re cooking more than two chicken breasts, cook them in batches to ensure proper browning.
Finally, not seasoning adequately can leave the dish tasting bland. Don’t be shy with the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Ensure the chicken is evenly coated for maximum flavor. Taste the tomatoes and spinach after cooking and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This chicken dish is excellent for meal prep, and storing it properly ensures it stays delicious for days.
To store leftovers, allow the cooked chicken and vegetables to cool completely to room temperature, which typically takes about 30 minutes. Once cooled, transfer the mixture to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
For making it ahead, you can cook the chicken and vegetables according to the instructions, then cool and store them as described above. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat individual portions.
Reheating is best done gently to maintain texture. For best results, reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through, adding a splash of water or chicken broth if it seems dry. Alternatively, you can microwave individual portions on medium power, stirring halfway through, until heated through. Avoid high heat in the microwave, as it can dry out the chicken and make the spinach rubbery. The feta cheese will melt slightly upon reheating, which is perfectly fine.
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Q: Can I use frozen chicken breasts? A: Yes, but make sure they are fully thawed before cooking. Pat them very dry to remove any excess moisture.
Q: What if I don’t have fresh spinach? A: You can use frozen spinach, but make sure to thaw it and squeeze out all excess water before adding it to the skillet.
Q: Can I add other vegetables? A: Absolutely! Diced bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, or zucchini would be great additions. Add them with the cherry tomatoes and cook until tender.
Q: Is this recipe spicy? A: No, this recipe is not spicy. The Italian seasoning provides a savory,
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.
