Are you staring at that package of chicken and bag of spinach in your fridge, wondering what on earth to make for dinner tonight? Don’t worry I’ve been there too! Chicken and spinach is actually one of the most versatile and nutritious food combinations you can work with – and I’m about to show you just how many delicious meals you can create with these two simple ingredients.
As a food blogger who’s tested countless recipes over the years, I can confidently say that chicken and spinach recipes deserve a special place in your weekly meal rotation. They’re quick healthy, and can transform into everything from creamy comfort food to light and refreshing meals.
Why Chicken and Spinach Make the Perfect Pair
Before diving into the recipes, let’s talk about why this dynamic duo works so well:
- Nutritional powerhouse: Chicken provides lean protein while spinach delivers iron, vitamins, and minerals
- Budget-friendly: Both ingredients are relatively inexpensive and widely available
- Time-saving: Many chicken and spinach recipes come together in 30 minutes or less
- Flavor compatibility: The mild flavor of chicken pairs perfectly with the slightly earthy taste of spinach
- Versatility: Works in nearly any cooking method – baking, sautéing, grilling, slow cooking
Now let’s get to the good stuff – the recipes!
Creamy Chicken and Spinach Recipes
When you’re craving comfort food but still want something nutritious, these creamy options hit the spot:
1. Creamy Garlic Skillet Chicken with Spinach
This one-pan wonder features chicken cutlets bathed in a rich garlic cream sauce with fresh spinach. It’s ready in about 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. The spinach adds color, nutrition, and a subtle earthiness that complements the creamy sauce beautifully.
2. Creamy Spinach Chicken Casserole
Nothing says comfort like a bubbly, cheesy casserole! This dish combines tender chicken, fresh spinach, and cheese, all baked to golden perfection. It’s like getting a warm hug in food form – perfect for those days when you need something cozy and satisfying.
3. Creamy Chicken Breast in Spinach Parmesan Sauce
This simple yet elegant dish features seared chicken breasts smothered in a rich spinach-parmesan sauce. The combination of tender chicken with the velvety sauce creates a restaurant-quality meal that’s surprisingly easy to make at home.
4. Chicken Florentine
A classic for good reason! Traditional chicken Florentine features sautéed chicken cutlets topped with creamy spinach. Many recipes use cornstarch instead of cheese to keep the calories lower while maintaining that luxurious texture we all crave.
One-Pot and Skillet Chicken Spinach Meals
When you want minimal cleanup but maximum flavor:
5. Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan
This bright, lemony pasta dish combines lean chicken breast and sautéed spinach in a garlicky sauce. The addition of Parmesan cheese adds a delightful savory note that brings everything together. It’s a complete meal in one skillet!
6. Tomato Spinach Chicken Pasta
This simple pasta dish packs in the nutrition without sacrificing flavor. The bright tomatoes, earthy spinach, and tender chicken create a balanced meal that even picky eaters will enjoy. Plus, it comes together in just 30 minutes!
7. Cheesy Spinach Chicken Pasta
If you’re a cheese lover, this recipe is for you! Ready in just 20 minutes, this straightforward pasta dish combines chicken, spinach, and plenty of cheese for a comforting meal that’s still reasonably nutritious. It’s also super easy to clean up afterward – win-win!
Stuffed and Rolled Chicken with Spinach
For when you want to get a bit fancier:
8. Spinach-Stuffed Chicken Breasts
This elegant dish features chicken breasts stuffed with a savory spinach filling. It’s impressive enough for company but simple enough for a weeknight dinner. The contrast between the juicy chicken and the flavorful spinach filling makes every bite exciting.
9. Baked Tuscan Chicken Casserole
This Italian-inspired casserole combines chicken with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and a creamy sauce for a meal that’ll transport you straight to Tuscany. It’s quick to prepare and absolutely bursting with Mediterranean flavors.
Soups and Stews with Chicken and Spinach
Perfect for chilly days or when you need something comforting:
10. Chicken & Spinach Soup with Fresh Pesto
This Italian-flavored soup takes advantage of quick-cooking ingredients – boneless chicken breast, bagged baby spinach, and canned beans. The homemade basil pesto swirled in at the end adds a fresh herb flavor that elevates the entire dish.
11. Creamy Chicken Spinach Soup
A bowl of this hearty soup is like a warm hug on a cold day. Loaded with tender chicken, umami-rich mushrooms, and nutritious spinach in a creamy base, it’s the perfect comfort food that doesn’t sacrifice nutrition.
12. Instant Pot Crack Chicken Spinach Soup
Ready in just 20 minutes, this indulgent soup features chicken, spinach, bacon, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese. It’s rich, creamy, and exactly what you need after a long, tiring week. The Instant Pot makes it quick and fuss-free!
13. Chicken and Sausage Stew with White Beans and Spinach
This rustic stew combines chicken, sausage, white beans, and spinach for a hearty, soul-warming meal. It’s filling, flavorful, and perfect for meal prep as the flavors get even better the next day.
Lighter Chicken and Spinach Options
When you want something nutritious but still satisfying:
14. Grilled Chicken and Spinach Salad with Honey Mustard
This refreshing salad features grilled chicken, fresh spinach, and a tangy honey mustard dressing. It’s light, flavorful, and packed with protein and nutrients – perfect for lunch or a light dinner, especially during warmer months.
15. Grilled Chicken Wraps with Spinach, Strawberries, and Walnuts
These bright, flavorful wraps combine grilled chicken with spinach, sweet strawberries, and crunchy walnuts for a delightful texture and flavor contrast. They’re perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner, especially in the summer.
16. Cold Chicken Spinach Pasta Salad
This simple pasta salad requires just four ingredients: spinach, pasta, grilled chicken, and your dressing of choice. It’s refreshing, satisfying, and can be made in advance – perfect for meal prep or busy weekdays.
Slow Cooker and Instant Pot Chicken Spinach Recipes
When you need your appliances to do the heavy lifting:
17. Crockpot Tuscan Chicken
This set-it-and-forget-it recipe brings the flavors of Tuscany right to your kitchen. Featuring chicken breast, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes cooked with Italian seasonings, it’s a flavorful meal that requires minimal effort.
18. Crockpot Southwest Spinach Chicken
Take your taste buds on a southwestern adventure with this easy Crockpot meal. It combines chicken with corn, beans, salsa, and spinach for a flavor-packed dish that practically cooks itself.
19. Instant Pot Chicken Florentine
This classic dish becomes weeknight-friendly thanks to the Instant Pot. Creamy, comforting, and loaded with spinach, chicken, mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese, it’s a restaurant-quality meal you can make in a flash.
International Flavors with Chicken and Spinach
For when you want to explore global cuisines:
20. Morgh-e Torsh (Iranian Chicken Stew with Green Herbs & Citrus)
This delicious Iranian chicken stew traditionally uses sour oranges, but can be made with a combination of citrus juices. The flavorful spinach sauce pairs perfectly with rice for a complete meal that’s both comforting and exotic.
21. Asado Chicken Breasts with Sautéed Garlic Spinach
This Latin American-inspired dish pairs perfectly seasoned chicken with garlicky sautéed spinach. It’s ready in just 20 minutes and works well for lunch, dinner, or even meal prep.
Unique Ways to Use Chicken and Spinach
When you want to think outside the box:
22. Chicken Spinach Quiche
This hearty quiche is loaded with chicken, spinach, roasted red peppers, and shredded cheese. Using a pre-made pie crust makes it quick and easy to prepare, perfect for brunch or a light dinner.
23. Roasted Garlic, Chicken, and Spinach White Pizza
Take your pizza game to the next level with this white pizza featuring roasted garlic, chicken, and spinach. It’s a delicious departure from traditional tomato-based pizzas and makes for a fun weekend dinner.
24. Chicken Florentine Panini
This gourmet sandwich combines chicken, spinach, and cheese with garlic mayonnaise and caramelized onions for a flavor explosion. It’s perfect for lunch or a quick dinner when you want something special but don’t have much time.
25. Chicken, Spinach, and Feta Calzone
These handheld pockets of goodness feature a delicious filling of chicken, spinach, and feta cheese. They’re like having all the goodness of pizza in a portable package, perfect for meals on the go or casual gatherings.
Tips for Cooking with Chicken and Spinach
To get the most out of your chicken and spinach dishes:
- Fresh vs. frozen spinach: Fresh works better in salads and quick-cooking dishes, while frozen (thawed and squeezed dry) is great for casseroles and stuffed chicken.
- Properly season your chicken: Don’t skimp on the salt and pepper – properly seasoned chicken makes all the difference.
- Don’t overcook spinach: It wilts quickly, so add it toward the end of cooking to maintain color and nutrients.
- Balance flavors: Spinach has a slight bitterness that pairs well with acidic ingredients like lemon juice or tomatoes.
- Make extra: Many of these recipes freeze well or make excellent leftovers.
Why I Love These Recipes
I gotta tell you, these chicken and spinach recipes have been absolute lifesavers in my kitchen! As someone who cooks for a family with different tastes and busy schedules, I appreciate how versatile and quick they are.
The creamy chicken spinach casserole has become our Sunday night tradition, while the quick skillet meals save me on those crazy weeknights when I barely have time to breathe, let alone cook. And I can’t tell you how many times the cold chicken spinach pasta salad has rescued my lunch meal prep!
What I love most is that I can feel good about serving these meals – they’re nutritious while still being satisfying and delicious. No more guilt about ordering takeout when these recipes are just as quick and way healthier!
From creamy comfort food to light and refreshing salads, there’s no shortage of delicious meals you can create with chicken and spinach. These versatile ingredients work together beautifully to create nutritious, satisfying dishes that are perfect for any occasion.
So next time you’re staring at that chicken and spinach in your fridge, you’ll have plenty of inspiration! Which recipe will you try first? I’d love to hear about your chicken and spinach cooking adventures!
Happy cooking!
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FAQ
What to have with chicken and spinach?
Creamy spinach chicken can be eaten on its own, but because it has a delicious garlicky cream sauce, it’s even better when served over rice or noodles. A bright and simple green salad on the side would be also be great.
Can we eat spinach and chicken together?
For many, chicken and spinach are two essential staples for weeknight dinners. Both ingredients are easy to cook, budget-friendly and nutrient-rich. And they taste great when combined in anything from creamy skillet pasta to savory soup and salad.
Will I lose weight if I eat chicken and spinach every day?
You may lose weight eating a chicken, vegetable and fruit focused diet, but only if you’re consuming fewer calories than your burn. These foods don’t contain magical nutrients to melt those unwanted pounds.
Can you stir fry spinach with chicken?
Chicken Stir fry with Spinach. Super easy, rich flavor, one-pot Chicken Stir-fry with Spinach. This is a foolproof recipe that provides a good alternative to basic greens. It’s super healthy, light and simple.