Description
Spinach artichoke chicken delivers a creamy Mediterranean-inspired comfort meal perfect for weeknight dinners. Cheesy, herb-infused layers combine with tender chicken, offering you a delightful culinary experience that satisfies deeply.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.5 lb/680 g)
- 1 can (14 oz/397 g) artichoke hearts (drained and chopped)
- 2 cups spinach (roughly chopped and loosely packed)
- 1¼ cups whole milk
- ¾ cup chicken stock
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (additional for serving)
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 4 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 3 tbsps salted butter
- 2 tbsps extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup fresh basil (finely chopped, or 2 tsp dried basil, additional for garnish)
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper (for garnish)
- Crusty bread (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare chicken breasts by seasoning with salt. Preheat a large skillet with olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.
- Cook chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and let rest.
- In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until aromatic. Add butter and melt completely.
- Sprinkle flour over garlic-butter mixture, stirring continuously for 1 minute to create a golden roux and eliminate raw flour taste.
- Gradually whisk in chicken stock, milk, and cream cheese until sauce becomes smooth. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring until slightly thickened.
- Incorporate spinach, basil, artichoke hearts, and remaining salt. Cook for 4-5 minutes until spinach wilts and artichokes are heated through.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until fully integrated into the sauce.
- Return chicken to skillet, coating thoroughly with sauce. Top with additional Parmesan, fresh basil, and cracked black pepper.
- Serve hot alongside crusty bread to soak up the rich, creamy sauce.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is thoroughly cooked by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F with an instant-read thermometer to prevent foodborne illness.
- Opt for fresh spinach instead of frozen to maintain a crisp texture and prevent excess water in the sauce.
- Experiment with different cheese variations like mozzarella or Swiss for unique flavor profiles and dietary preferences.
- For a lower-carb option, replace flour with cornstarch or xanthan gum to thicken the sauce without adding extra carbohydrates.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg