Description
Whip up a satisfying Quick & Cozy Dinner for Cold Nights! This creamy chicken and veggie skillet is pure comfort, ready fast.
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Players:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil (plus more if needed)
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 5 oz fresh spinach
- Aromatics & Flavor Builders:
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Creamy Goodness:
- 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Finishing Touches:
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Prep Your Players:: First things first, let’s get that chicken ready. Dice your boneless, skinless chicken breasts into about 1-inch pieces. I find this size cooks evenly and quickly. While you’re at it, chop your onion and slice those cremini mushrooms. Mince that garlic like you mean it! Honestly, the smell of fresh garlic and onion getting prepped is already making my kitchen feel warm.
- Sear the Chicken:: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, add your diced chicken. Season it with a pinch of salt and pepper right there in the pan. Sear for about 3-4 minutes until it’s golden brown on all sides. You’re not cooking it through yet, just getting some lovely color. This is where I always forget to season the chicken *before* it hits the pan, oops! Don’t be like me!
- Build the Flavor Base:: Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside. Add another splash of olive oil if needed, then toss in your chopped onion and sliced mushrooms. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and the mushrooms have released their liquid and started to brown. Now, stir in that minced garlic, dried thyme, and smoked paprika. Let it cook for just one minute more until fragrant—don’t let the garlic burn!
- Simmer and Thicken:: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring it to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream and let it gently bubble for about 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly. This is where the magic happens, that creamy goodness starts to form!
- Return the Chicken & Wilt the Spinach:: Add the seared chicken back into the skillet. Stir in the fresh spinach, handful by handful, until it wilts into the sauce. This usually takes just a couple of minutes. The vibrant green of the spinach against the creamy sauce? So pretty! I always think I’ve added too much spinach, but it always just disappears.
- Finish and Serve Your Quick & Cozy Dinner:: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and combined. Taste and adjust seasonings—you might need a bit more salt or a grind of pepper. Serve immediately, perhaps with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color. The final result should be a rich, creamy, and wonderfully aromatic Quick & Cozy Dinner for Cold Nights!