If you love a comforting, healthy dinner that comes together in under an hour, Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms is about to become your new weeknight favorite! Tender chicken pieces, savory mushrooms, vibrant spinach, and a silky yogurt sauce all cozy up in one pan—simple, hearty, and positively crave-worthy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Pan Wonder: Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms all comes together in just one skillet for easy prep and even easier cleanup—no pile of pots in the sink!
- Flavorful & Satisfying: With savory mushrooms, delicate leeks, and a creamy, tangy sauce, every bite is brimming with comforting flavors.
- Nutritious, Not Boring: Packed with lean protein, leafy greens, and a lighter Greek yogurt finish, you get a wholesome meal without sacrificing any indulgence.
- Perfect for Busy Nights: This recipe is ready from scratch in about 35 minutes, making it your best friend for weeknights.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms is proof that a handful of simple ingredients can work real magic in your kitchen. Each component brings its own touch—whether it’s the juiciness of chicken, earthy mushrooms, or the vibrant green spinach, every ingredient pulls its weight!
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (1.25 pounds): Choose thighs for richer flavor or breasts for a leaner bite—either works beautifully.
- Salt and pepper: The essential seasoning duo brings out all the flavors in the chicken and veggies.
- Olive oil (2 tablespoons): For browning the chicken and sautéing the veggies; it adds lovely flavor and helps everything cook evenly.
- Large leek, white and light green parts only, sliced thin: Leeks lend sweetness and a subtle onion note that’s just irresistible with mushrooms and spinach.
- Crimini (Baby Bella) mushrooms, quartered (1 pound): Earthy, meaty mushrooms transform this dish from ordinary to special.
- Garlic cloves, minced (8 medium): Don’t skimp—the savory aroma of sautéed garlic is a must!
- Flour (1 tablespoon): Just enough to help the sauce thicken and cling to each piece of chicken.
- Chicken stock (3/4 cup, more if needed): Forms the base of a silky sauce and adds rich depth.
- Dry Sherry (3 tablespoons): Adds gentle warmth and complexity, but you can substitute with white wine if needed.
- Dried thyme (1/2 teaspoon): A tiny bit goes a long way in giving the sauce an herby finish.
- Baby spinach, packed (2 cups): Tender baby spinach gives color, freshness, and an extra dose of nutrients.
- Plain Greek yogurt, full fat (1/2 cup): The key to that creamy sauce—full fat makes it rich, but see the note below for nonfat options!
Variations
One of the best things about Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms is how endlessly customizable it is. Whether you’re working with what’s on hand or catering to dietary needs, you can easily make this recipe your own!
- Dairy-Free: Omit the Greek yogurt and stir in a splash of coconut milk or cashew cream for luscious richness without the dairy.
- Add More Vegetables: Toss in chopped bell peppers, zucchini, or asparagus tips for even more color and crunch.
- Wine Swap: Use dry white wine instead of sherry, or leave it out entirely for a kid-friendly version.
- Go Vegetarian: Try cubed tofu or cooked white beans in place of chicken for a plant-based main.
How to Make Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms
Step 1: Season and Brown the Chicken
Start by patting your chicken dry and seasoning both sides generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering hot, add the chicken in a single layer. Let it cook undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes until it develops golden spots, then flip and repeat on the other side—this gives wonderful flavor and color. Set the chicken aside on a plate while you move on to the veggies.
Step 2: Sauté the Leeks and Mushrooms
In the same pan, add your leeks and quartered mushrooms. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms soften and begin to caramelize and leeks are tender. The caramelization at this stage will deepen the flavor of your finished dish. Add the minced garlic and cook for just a couple more minutes, letting that delicious aroma fill your kitchen.
Step 3: Build the Sauce
With the veggies softened, sprinkle over the flour and toss to coat everything smoothly—this creates the base for a luscious sauce. Cook the flour for about a minute, then pour in the chicken stock, dry sherry, and dried thyme. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring well so there are no lumps. If the sauce thickens too much, just add a splash more chicken stock until you reach your perfect consistency.
Step 4: Finish Cooking With Spinach and Chicken
Nestle the browned chicken back into the pan and scatter your baby spinach over the top. Cover the pan with a lid, letting everything steam together for about 4–5 minutes. The spinach will wilt perfectly, and the chicken will finish cooking gently, absorbing all those wonderful pan juices.
Step 5: Stir in the Creamy Yogurt
Once the chicken is cooked through, remove the pan from the heat. Gently stir everything to incorporate the wilted spinach, then dollop in the Greek yogurt. Mix gently until the sauce turns creamy and glossy. If you’re using low- or nonfat yogurt, be sure to temper it first—this little step helps prevent curdling and keeps your sauce silky smooth.
Pro Tips for Making Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms
- Golden Brown Chicken: Let the chicken sear undisturbed for those full 3–4 minutes on each side—this step develops deep flavor and an irresistible color.
- Yogurt Tempering Trick: For a silky sauce, mix a spoonful or two of the hot pan sauce into the yogurt before stirring it in (especially with nonfat yogurt)—no curdling, just creaminess!
- Sauce Consistency: The sauce thickens quickly as the flour and stock work together—if it gets too thick, add chicken stock a little at a time until it just coats a spoon.
- Best Mushrooms: Baby bellas (Crimini) are fantastic here, but feel free to mix in some wild mushrooms if you want an elevated flavor punch.
How to Serve Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms
Garnishes
Add a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives just before serving for a pop of color and brightness. If you love a little tang, a squirt of fresh lemon or a dusting of lemon zest lifts every bite to something extra special.
Side Dishes
This dish is dreamy over a bed of fluffy rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or warm buttered noodles to soak up all that luscious sauce. For a lighter pairing, try it with a side of quinoa, farro, or simply a crusty piece of artisan bread.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms family-style in the skillet for a cozy, rustic feel or plate individually with a swirl of the creamy sauce for an elegant touch. For date night, spoon the chicken over wilted greens and add a few roasted cherry tomatoes for a restaurant-worthy look!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store in an airtight container, and try to cool it quickly before refrigerating to preserve the best texture and flavor.
Freezing
While you can freeze leftovers, keep in mind the texture of the spinach and yogurt sauce may change slightly when thawed. For best results, freeze the dish before adding the yogurt—just stir it in fresh right after reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently over low heat in a pan, adding a splash of chicken stock to loosen the sauce. If the dish was frozen without yogurt, stir in the yogurt once everything is hot to get that signature creamy finish.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs?
Absolutely! Both chicken breasts and thighs work beautifully in Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms. Thighs are a bit juicier, but breasts will also stay tender thanks to the creamy sauce and gentle cooking method.
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What can I substitute for dry sherry?
If you don’t have dry sherry on hand, dry white wine is a fantastic substitute. You can also simply leave it out—your dish will still be full of flavor thanks to the mushroom and garlic duo.
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How do I keep the yogurt sauce from curdling?
To keep your sauce smooth and silky, temper the yogurt first by stirring a little of the hot sauce into it before adding it to the pan. This step helps prevent curdling, especially with low-fat or nonfat yogurt.
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Is Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms gluten-free?
As written, this recipe uses a tablespoon of flour to thicken the sauce. To make it gluten-free, you can substitute with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch—just use a bit less cornstarch as it thickens more powerfully!
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms enough—it’s cozy, nourishing, and truly a dish that brings people together around the table. Give it a try this week, and I promise it’ll become a go-to favorite in your kitchen as well. Enjoy every creamy, comforting bite!
PrintChicken With Spinach and Mushrooms Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Stovetop
- Method: Stovetop
Description
This Chicken with Spinach and Mushrooms recipe is a flavorful and creamy dish that is perfect for a cozy dinner. Tender chicken cooked with leeks, mushrooms, and spinach in a savory sauce, finished off with a creamy Greek yogurt twist.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1.25 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Sauce:
- 1 large leek, white and light green parts only, sliced thin
- 1 pound Crimini (Baby Bella) mushrooms, quartered
- 8 medium garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 3/4 cup chicken stock, more if the sauce seems too thick
- 3 tablespoons Dry Sherry
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 cups baby spinach, packed
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, full fat
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large saute pan, then cook the chicken until golden. Remove and set aside.
- Saute the vegetables: Cook leeks, mushrooms, and garlic until caramelized. Add flour, then pour in chicken stock, sherry, and thyme.
- Finish the dish: Return chicken to the pan, top with spinach, cover, and cook until chicken is done. Stir in yogurt until well combined.
Notes
- If using low or nonfat yogurt, temper it before adding to the sauce to prevent curdling.
- If making ahead, add yogurt just before serving to avoid curdling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 39g
- Cholesterol: 140mg