Creamy Mediterranean Chicken Skillet Recipe

Introduction

This Creamy Mediterranean Chicken Skillet is a delightful one-pan meal that combines tender chicken breasts with a rich, savory sauce loaded with spinach, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and capers. It’s a quick and satisfying dish perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 8 ounces cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup capers, drained
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Optional: pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
2. Step 2: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and dried oregano.
3. Step 3: Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Remove the chicken and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, sauté the sliced mushrooms for 4-5 minutes until soft and tender.
5. Step 5: Add the minced garlic to the mushrooms and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
6. Step 6: Stir in the cherry tomatoes, drained capers, and fresh spinach. Cook until the spinach wilts and tomatoes soften, about 2-3 minutes.
7. Step 7: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine and form a creamy sauce.
8. Step 8: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and let the sauce simmer for 3-5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
9. Step 9: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over top, and warm through for 2 minutes.
10. Step 10: Garnish with fresh parsley and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if desired. Serve warm with the sauce and vegetables spooned over the chicken.

Tips & Variations

• Use boneless, skinless thighs for a juicier, more flavorful chicken option.
• Substitute baby kale or swiss chard if you don’t have spinach on hand.
• For a lighter sauce, replace half the heavy cream with Greek yogurt or sour cream added off heat.
• Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end to brighten the flavors.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave to avoid curdling the sauce. If the sauce thickens too much when cold, stir in a splash of chicken broth or water when reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken breasts to ensure even cooking. Cooking from frozen may result in unevenly cooked chicken and longer cooking times.

Can I make this dish dairy-free?

Yes, substitute the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese with coconut cream or a dairy-free cream alternative and nutritional yeast for a savory flavor.

Creamy Mediterranean Chicken Skillet Recipe

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4.5 from 82 reviews

This Creamy Mediterranean Chicken Skillet features tender, seasoned chicken breasts cooked to perfection and simmered in a rich, creamy sauce loaded with mushrooms, spinach, cherry tomatoes, capers, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. A delightful Mediterranean-inspired one-pan meal that combines bold flavors and creamy textures for a comforting, elegant dinner.

• Author: Sana
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Seasoning

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Vegetables and Aromatics

• 8 ounces cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup capers, drained
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish

• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• Optional: pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Prepare Your Skillet: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to warm the pan and create a perfect cooking surface for the chicken.
2. Season the Chicken: Sprinkle salt, freshly ground black pepper, and dried oregano evenly on both sides of the chicken breasts, ensuring they are well coated for maximum flavor.
3. Cook the Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken in the hot skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
4. Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the sliced mushrooms and sauté for 4-5 minutes until tender and browned, enhancing their flavor.
5. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, careful not to let it burn.
6. Stir in Spinach and Tomatoes: Add cherry tomatoes, drained capers, and fresh spinach to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and tomatoes soften, melding the flavors.
7. Make the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring well to combine all ingredients and create a luscious sauce.
8. Add Parmesan: Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese and simmer the sauce for 3-5 minutes while stirring occasionally until it thickens slightly and becomes creamy.
9. Return the Chicken: Place the cooked chicken back into the skillet, spoon some of the creamy sauce over the top, and warm through for about 2 minutes to absorb the flavors.
10. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if desired. Serve the dish warm, spooning the sauce and vegetables over the chicken.

Notes

• Ensure chicken breasts are of even thickness for uniform cooking.
• You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it will be less rich.
• For extra heat, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
• This dish pairs well with cooked rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and gently reheated on the stovetop.

Keywords: Creamy chicken skillet, Mediterranean chicken recipe, chicken with spinach and mushrooms, one-pan chicken dinner, creamy garlic chicken, healthy chicken recipes