One-Pot Creamy Spinach and Chicken

This season, we're keeping dinner simple with easy one pot meals. This One Pot Creamy Spinach & Chicken is creamy, comforting, and comes together with just a handful of ingredients in one pan.

It's a family-friendly dinner that's packed with protein and flavor while keeping dishes to a minimum. Serve it with your favorite vegetables, rice, or crusty bread for an easy meal everyone will enjoy.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • One pan means easy cleanup
  • Ready in about 30 minutes
  • Rich and creamy garlic parmesan sauce
  • Packed with protein
  • Family-friendly
  • Naturally low-carb
  • Perfect with sourdough bread

 

If you wanted to make this dairy free - I got you!

Many people assume you have to give up creamy comfort foods during Whole30, but that's simply not true.

Full-fat canned coconut milk creates a rich, velvety sauce without any dairy. Combined with garlic, onions, and chicken broth, it creates a flavorful sauce that tastes indulgent while remaining completely compliant.

Don't worry, the coconut flavor is very mild and blends so well with all of the savory ingredients! 

Classic Ways to Serve Creamy Spinach & Chicken

This dish pairs wonderfully with:

  • Homemade sourdough bread
  • Garlic sourdough toast
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Buttered noodles
  • Roasted vegetables
  • Rice
  • Caesar salad

 

Whole30-Friendly Serving Ideas

Serve with:

  • Roasted sweet potatoes
  • Cauliflower mash
  • Roasted broccoli
  • Green beans
  • Spaghetti squash
  • Roasted carrots
  • Simple garden salad

Substitutions

Chicken Thighs

You can substitute:

  • Boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • Chicken breasts
  • Chicken tenderloins
  • Turkey cutlets

Tip: Chicken thighs stay the juiciest and are less likely to dry out during cooking.

Fresh Spinach

Swap with:

  • Baby kale
  • Chopped kale
  • Swiss chard
  • Arugula

Tip: Kale will need a few extra minutes of cooking to soften.

Add More Vegetables

This recipe is very forgiving. Consider adding:

  • Mushrooms
  • Bell peppers
  • Zucchini
  • Asparagus
  • Broccoli florets
  • Artichoke hearts

Add firmer vegetables before the spinach so they have time to soften.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen spinach?

Yes. Thaw and squeeze out excess moisture before adding it to the sauce.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely. The flavors become even better the next day.

Can I freeze it?

Cream-based sauces can sometimes separate after freezing, so this recipe is best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.

 

One pot creamy spinach and chicken

Courtney Moody

Servings

4

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

30 minutes

Calories

498

Cuisine

American

This season we're keeping it simple with one pot meals! And if you're looking for a simple dinner that feels comforting, hearty, and a little bit special, this One Pot Creamy Spinach & Chicken is the answer!

One pot creamy spinach and chicken

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs

  • 1 tsp onion powder

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 small onion, diced

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened

  • 3/4 cup bone broth

  • 1 juiced lemon

  • 2 handfuls baby spinach

  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.

  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this stage. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

  3. Tip! Don't clean the skillet. Those browned bits left behind add incredible flavor to the sauce.

  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add your diced onion into the pan and cook for 3 - 4 minutes until translucent. Add your minced garlic and cook for 1 - 2 more minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan as you go.

  5. Add the creamed cheese and lemon juice, mixing everything together and slowly add your bone broth until everything is smooth and incorporated. Whisk well for about one minutes.

  6. Stir in the spinach and cook until it just wilts and add your chicken back into the pot to warm through. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees.

  7. Spoon the creamy spinach sauce over the chicken and serve immediately. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and a lemon wedge if desired! And enjoy :)
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Hi, I’m Courtney! 👋 Wild for Jesus, my husband and our 3 babies. We homeschool, hike and have learned to grow food in a tiny backyard. My goal is to help you find joy and be productive wherever you are and make sourdough a little less scary.