Chicken Skillet Recipe

Olive oil: Used for cooking the chicken and adding a rich flavor.

Chicken breasts: The main protein of the dish, providing a tender and juicy texture.

Garlic powder: Adds a subtle garlic flavor without the need for fresh garlic.

Paprika: Provides a mild, smoky flavor and a beautiful color to the chicken.

Chicken broth: Forms the base of the sauce, adding depth and richness.

Heavy cream: Creates a creamy, luxurious sauce that coats the chicken and vegetables.

Spinach: Adds a fresh, vibrant element to the dish, balancing the richness of the sauce.

Sun-dried tomatoes: Contributes a tangy, intense flavor that complements the other ingredients.

When cooking the chicken breasts, make sure to pound them to an even thickness before seasoning. This ensures they cook evenly and remain juicy. Additionally, when adding the chicken broth and heavy cream to the skillet, use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. These bits add a depth of flavor to the sauce. Finally, when incorporating the spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, make sure to stir continuously to evenly distribute the ingredients and prevent the spinach from clumping together.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a great alternative for cooking.

• chicken breasts - Substitute with turkey breasts: Turkey breasts are lean and have a similar texture and flavor profile to chicken breasts.

• garlic powder - Substitute with fresh garlic: Fresh garlic provides a more robust and aromatic flavor compared to garlic powder.

• paprika - Substitute with smoked paprika: Smoked paprika adds a deeper, smoky flavor that enhances the dish.

• chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth is a good alternative for those who prefer a plant-based option while still adding depth of flavor.

• heavy cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream is a dairy-free option that provides a rich and creamy texture similar to heavy cream.

• spinach - Substitute with kale: Kale is a hearty green that holds up well in cooking and provides a similar nutritional profile to spinach.

• sun-dried tomatoes - Substitute with roasted red peppers: Roasted red peppers offer a sweet and smoky flavor that complements the dish similarly to sun-dried tomatoes.

• Allow the chicken skillet to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to soggy textures and spoilage.

• Transfer the chicken breasts and the creamy spinach and sun-dried tomato sauce into an airtight container. Make sure the container is large enough to hold everything without squishing the ingredients.

• For optimal freshness, store the container in the refrigerator. The chicken skillet will stay good for up to 3-4 days.

• If you plan to freeze the chicken skillet, place the cooled dish into a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags. Squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.

• Label the container or bag with the date and contents. This will help you keep track of how long it has been stored.

• When ready to reheat, thaw the chicken skillet in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing process helps maintain the texture and flavor of the dish.

• Reheat the chicken skillet in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream if the sauce has thickened too much during storage. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.

• Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave. Place the chicken and sauce in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, and heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.

• Enjoy your reheated chicken skillet with a fresh side of vegetables or a light salad to complement the rich flavors.

• Stovetop Reheating:

  • Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the leftover chicken breasts and sauce to the skillet.
  • Cover and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is heated through and the spinach and sun-dried tomatoes are warm.

• Oven Reheating:

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Place the chicken skillet leftovers in an oven-safe dish.
  • Cover with aluminum foil to keep the moisture in.
  • Bake for about 20 minutes or until the chicken is heated through.

• Microwave Reheating:

  • Place the chicken skillet leftovers in a microwave-safe dish.
  • Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent.
  • Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the chicken and sauce are hot.

• Sous Vide Reheating:

  • Place the chicken skillet leftovers in a vacuum-sealed bag.
  • Heat a pot of water to 140°F (60°C).
  • Submerge the bag in the water bath and let it heat for about 30 minutes.
  • Remove from the bag and serve immediately.

• Air Fryer Reheating:

  • Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  • Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer basket.
  • Heat for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
  • Add the spinach and sun-dried tomatoes in the last 2 minutes to warm them up.

• Large skillet: A broad cooking pan with a flat bottom, ideal for searing and cooking the chicken breasts evenly.

• Tongs: Useful for flipping the chicken breasts to ensure they cook evenly on both sides.

• Measuring spoons: Essential for accurately measuring the olive oil, garlic powder, and paprika.

• Measuring cups: Necessary for measuring the chicken broth and heavy cream.

• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring the chicken broth and heavy cream together, as well as mixing in the spinach and sun-dried tomatoes.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for seasoning the chicken breasts.

• Knife: Used for trimming any excess fat from the chicken breasts and chopping the sun-dried tomatoes if needed.

• Plate: Handy for setting aside the cooked chicken breasts while you prepare the sauce.

• Spatula: Useful for transferring the chicken breasts back into the skillet without breaking them apart.

• Stove: The heat source for cooking the entire dish.

Pre-season the chicken: Season the chicken breasts ahead of time and store them in the fridge. This allows the flavors to marinate and saves time during cooking.

Use pre-washed spinach: Opt for pre-washed spinach to eliminate the need for washing and drying, speeding up your prep time.

Sun-dried tomatoes in oil: Choose sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil to skip the rehydration step, making them ready to use immediately.

One-pan method: Cook everything in one skillet to reduce cleanup time and streamline the cooking process.