Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables & Garnish
- 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
- Additional Parmesan cheese for garnish
- Thinly sliced lemon for garnish
Instructions
- Prep chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness using a meat mallet. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper to ensure flavorful chicken.
- Cook the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same pan, sauté the minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and lemon zest, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and fully combined.
- Add spinach and combine: Add fresh spinach to the sauce and cook for about 1 minute until wilted. Return the cooked chicken breasts to the pan, spooning the sauce over them. Sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese on top, cover the pan, and cook for another 2 minutes until the cheese melts and the spinach is tender.
- Serve: Garnish with thinly sliced lemon and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately for a warm, comforting meal.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are pounded to even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and melting quality.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed after sauce is prepared.
- Serve with a side of rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American