This low-carb chicken spinach recipe is perfect for busy weeknights—delicious, nutritious, and satisfying without the carbs. Tender chicken in a rich, creamy sauce with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes makes a restaurant-quality meal at home. For more low-carb favorites, try our chicken tenders, creamy chicken alfredo, or crispy chicken nuggets.
When I first created this chicken spinach recipe, I wanted to sneak more greens into our meals without complaints. The creamy Parmesan sauce made it an instant hit—even the kids asked for seconds! I’m not saying it’s addictive, but I’ve made it three times this week. For a dairy-free twist, try our cream chicken.
This low carb chicken and spinach dish comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for those hectic evenings when you want something homemade but don't have hours to spend in the kitchen. Plus, it all happens in one skillet, which means less cleanup and more time to enjoy your evening.
What You'll Love About This Recipe
- Quick & Easy - From prep to plate in 30 minutes with minimal cleanup
- Low Carb & Keto-Friendly - Perfect for those watching their carbohydrate intake while still enjoying a satisfying meal
- Versatile - Works great as a standalone dish or can be paired with various sides depending on your dietary preferences
Recipe Ingredients
This simple chicken spinach recipe low carb features everyday ingredients that combine to create extraordinary flavor:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Garlic
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Heavy cream
- Chicken broth
- Parmesan cheese
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Fresh spinach
- Salt and pepper
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken - Both breasts and thighs work well in this recipe. Thighs tend to be more forgiving and stay juicier, while breasts are leaner. Choose based on your preference!
- Spinach - Fresh spinach is ideal, but you can substitute frozen in a pinch. Just be sure to thaw and squeeze out excess moisture before adding to the dish.
- Sun-dried tomatoes - Look for the ones not packed in oil for a lower-calorie option, or drain the oil-packed variety well before adding to your dish.
How to Make Chicken Spinach Recipe Low Carb
For the complete printable recipe with exact measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here's a quick overview of the process:
- Brown the chicken in olive oil until golden and cooked through, then set aside.
- Sauté onions and garlic until fragrant and translucent.
- Create the creamy sauce by adding broth and cream, then incorporating Parmesan cheese.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes and seasonings to build layers of flavor.
- Wilt the spinach into the sauce.
- Return the chicken to the skillet to warm through in the sauce.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.
Pro Tips
For the absolute best results with this healthy chicken spinach low carb recipe, keep these chef-inspired tips in mind:
Don't overcrowd your pan when cooking the chicken - work in batches if necessary to ensure proper browning. This creates that delicious flavor base that makes the dish so special. Also, allow your cream sauce to simmer gently rather than boil to prevent curdling, and add the spinach gradually so it wilts evenly throughout the sauce.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigeration - Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezing - While you can freeze this dish, the cream sauce may separate slightly upon thawing.
- Reheating - Warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or broth if needed to revive the sauce. Avoid overheating to prevent the sauce from breaking or the chicken from becoming tough.
Additions & Substitutions
Additions:
- Add mushrooms for an earthy flavor that complements the spinach beautifully
- Incorporate artichoke hearts for a Mediterranean twist
- Toss in some bacon bits for a smoky, savory element
- Mix in roasted red peppers for a sweet, slightly smoky flavor boost
Substitutions:
- Replace heavy cream with coconut cream for a dairy-free alternative
- Swap Parmesan for nutritional yeast if you're avoiding dairy
- Use kale or Swiss chard instead of spinach for a different green experience
- Substitute chicken with shrimp for a seafood variation (reduce cooking time accordingly)
FAQs about this Chicken Spinach Low Carb Recipe
Is chicken and spinach good for weight loss?
What is a good side dish for creamy spinach chicken?
Can we eat chicken and spinach together?
What Can I Serve with this Chicken Spinach Low Carb Recipe?
This versatile chicken spinach recipe low carb pairs beautifully with many sides depending on your dietary preferences. For strictly low-carb options, try cauliflower rice, roasted Brussels sprouts, or a fresh green salad. If you're not counting carbs, it's delicious over whole grain pasta, quinoa, or with a slice of crusty bread to soak up that amazing sauce.
If you give this recipe a try, I'd love to hear what you think! Drop a comment below or tag me in your social media posts so I can see your delicious creation.
You May Also Like
- Dairy-Free Chicken Pasta
- Low-Carb Chicken Noodle Soup
- Low-Carb Chicken Fingers
- Easy Chicken Macaroni Casserole
Chicken Spinach Low Carb
Equipment
- Large Skillet
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into smaller pieces if needed
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup slivered sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until browned on both sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add more oil if needed, then sauté the onion until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Then add heavy cream and bring to a simmer for about 1 minute.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. Add sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
- Stir in spinach and cook until wilted.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet to warm through.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
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