Ingredients

Scale

This one-pan wonder comes together with a handful of simple yet powerful ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the layers of flavor that make this dish so irresistible. For the best results, try to use fresh, high-quality ingredients whenever possible.

2 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: The lean, protein-packed foundation of our dish. We’ll slice them into bite-sized pieces to ensure they cook quickly and evenly, allowing every morsel to be coated in the creamy sauce. You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer a richer, more tender cut of meat.
1 tbsp Olive Oil: A quality extra virgin olive oil is used for searing the chicken. It adds a subtle, fruity note and helps create a beautiful golden-brown crust, which is essential for locking in juices and flavor.
1 tsp Salt: A fundamental seasoning that enhances all the other flavors in the dish. We’ll use it to season the chicken before cooking.
1/2 tsp Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper provides a gentle, pungent heat that cuts through the richness of the cheese and cream.
4 Cloves Garlic, Minced: Freshly minced garlic is the aromatic heart of this recipe. It infuses the entire dish with its savory, pungent flavor. Avoid garlic powder for this recipe, as the fresh cloves provide an unparalleled depth.
10 oz Fresh Spinach: This entire bag of vibrant green leaves will wilt down significantly, adding a wealth of nutrients, a beautiful color, and an earthy flavor that perfectly complements the creamy sauce.
8 oz Cream Cheese, Softened: This is the secret to an ultra-creamy, tangy, and luscious sauce. Allowing it to soften at room temperature will help it melt smoothly and incorporate seamlessly without lumps.
1/2 cup Heavy Cream: Heavy cream thins the cream cheese into a luxurious sauce consistency, adding a rich, decadent mouthfeel that you simply can’t achieve with milk or half-and-half.
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese: For the best flavor and melting properties, use a block of Parmesan and grate it yourself. It provides a sharp, nutty, and salty bite that is the signature of any great cream sauce.
1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: This is what brings the “cheesy” to our Cheesy Chicken and Spinach Skillet! Mozzarella melts beautifully, creating that glorious, stringy cheese pull that everyone loves.
1 tsp Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme that adds a classic, savory Italian flavor profile to the dish, tying all the other ingredients together.

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Instructions

Follow these simple, step-by-step instructions to create the perfect Cheesy Chicken and Spinach Skillet. The key is to build layers of flavor in the same pan, starting with searing the chicken and finishing with the decadent, cheesy sauce.

Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. This is a crucial step to ensure a good sear rather than steaming the meat. Cut the chicken into 1-inch bite-sized cubes. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with the salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning until they are evenly coated.
Sear the Chicken: Place a large, oven-safe skillet (cast iron is excellent for this) over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and let it shimmer. Carefully add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet in a single layer. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan; work in two batches if necessary. Cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, until it’s golden brown and cooked through. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
Sauté the Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic to the remaining drippings. Sauté for about 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until it becomes fragrant. Be very careful not to burn the garlic, as it will turn bitter.
Build the Creamy Sauce: Add the softened cream cheese and heavy cream to the skillet. Use a whisk or a wooden spoon to stir continuously until the cream cheese has completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. This may take a few minutes. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan—this is where a ton of flavor is hiding!
Incorporate the Cheeses: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it has fully melted into the sauce. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, which will help it to thicken slightly.
Wilt the Spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the skillet. It will look like a lot at first, but it wilts down quickly. You can add it in batches if needed. Gently stir the spinach into the cream sauce until it has completely wilted, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken pieces (and any accumulated juices from the plate) back to the skillet. Stir everything together to ensure the chicken is fully coated in the creamy spinach sauce.
Melt the Mozzarella: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the chicken and spinach mixture. You can either place a lid on the skillet for 2-3 minutes to let the cheese melt on the stovetop, or for a bubbly, golden-brown top, place the entire oven-safe skillet under the broiler for 1-2 minutes. Watch it closely to prevent burning.
Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat and let it rest for a couple of minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly. Garnish with fresh parsley or red pepper flakes if desired, and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 650
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 55g