Lemon Parmesan Spinach Chicken Recipe

Are you hungry for an easy, delightful, and healthful dinner? Try this Lemon Parmesan Spinach Chicken Recipe.

It adds tangy lemon, nutty Parmesan cheese, and one lively leafy green in one single pan, done within 30 minutes.

If you are in search of something low-carb, gluten-free, or simply something the whole family will love, then this is a great option!

Why You’ll Love This Lemon Parmesan Spinach Chicken Recipe

Quick and Easy: Under 30 minutes – perfect for a busy evening.

Healthy Option: It’s packed with protein and loaded with vitamin-rich spinach for guilt-free enjoyment.

Easy to Clean: Being one-pan, there is less mess to clean up.

Versatile: Adaptable for gluten-free, low-carb or keto diets.

Delicious: Great flavour with the blend of lemon, Parmesan, and spinach.

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)

2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)

2 tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)

Zest of 1 lemon

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 tsp dried Italian seasoning

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Dry the chicken with paper towels and season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs on both sides.

Step 2: Dredge the Chicken

In a shallow dish, combine flour with 1/4 cup of Parmesan. Coat chicken breasts in the mixture and shake off the excess.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat, followed by cooking the chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until it is golden brown and done. Remove it and set it aside.

Step 4: Sauce

Add the garlic in the same pan for 1 minute until fragrant, and then pour the chicken broth, juice, and zest of the lemon. Stir and scrape the pan to capture all the tasty bits.

Step 5: Add Spinach

Boil chopped spinach for 1-2 minutes until it becomes soft; add the remaining cheese and continue stirring until melted and the sauce is creamy.

Step 6: Put Everything Together

Put the chicken back in the pan and put the sauce and spinach on top. Let it cook for another 2-3 minutes so that the flavours all blend.

Step 7: Serve

Sprinkle on fresh parsley and slices of lemon. Serve while it is warm, hot.

Tips for the Best Lemon Parmesan Spinach Chicken

Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh lemon juice and zest taste much better than bottled.

Cook the Chicken Just Right: It’s excellent when checking that the chicken draws that callback, so it retains its juiciness.

Adjust sauce texture: Add a splash of chicken stock if the sauce gets too thick. If you find it too runny, leave it on the heat until slightly thicker.

Add more Spinach: Cooked spinach shrinks a lot, so add extra spinach to your liking.

Variations and Substitutions

Gluten-Free: Replace ordinary flour with almond flour or corn starch.

Low Carb/Keto: Replace ordinary flour with almond flour or eliminate it for a diet that’s much lighter for you.

Vegetarian: Instead of chicken, try thick slices of tofu or portobello mushrooms.

Creamy Version: Combine with 1/4 cup of heavy cream or cream cheese to make a richer sauce.

Spicy Version: Add a little bit of spice with 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes.

Serving Suggestions

Low-Carb: Pair it with low-carb cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.

Classic: Serve with mashed potatoes or roasted veggies.

Grains: Put it over pieces of quinoa, brown rice, or pasta for satiation.

With Salad: Serve a green salad with lemon dressing that matches the flavours.

Make Ahead, Storing and Freezing Instructions

Make Ahead

Season and coat the chicken with flour-Parmesan mix a day in advance; store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

You may also chop the spinach in advance and keep it in a separate container.

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheat gently in a pan with some chicken broth to make the sauce smooth again.

Freezing

Cooked chicken and sauce can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. Before using, let thaw in the fridge overnight.

Note: The spinach might become soft after freezing; fresh spinach may need to be added according to your liking when reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use frozen spinach?

Yes, but make sure to thaw and drain frozen spinach completely before tossing it into the skillet to avoid excess water in the sauce.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Switch out Parmesan for nutritional yeast or a dairy-free cheese alternative. Use a dairy-free butter or extra olive oil for cooking.

How do I know when the chicken is done?

Check the internal temperature with the meat thermometer for it to read 165°F. The chicken should be golden outside and pink from within.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Best is boneless and skinless thighs of chicken, but perhaps they would take an additional 1-2 minutes of cooking time on each side.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Lemon Parmesan Spinach Chicken Recipe offers a quick, healthy and delicious dinner without losing any taste.

Its tangy lemon, velvety Parmesan, and nutrient-rich spinach all kind of make it a versatile recipe for a lot of diets and lifestyles.

Try it tonight and let us know in the comments how it turned out!

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