If you’re searching for a flavorful, cozy, and nourishing dinner, Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms is about to become your weeknight hero. Juicy chicken melds with tender mushrooms, wilted spinach, and a velvety yogurt sauce, all infused with delicate leeks and savory sherry. Every bite is pure comfort with a gourmet twist!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Pan Wonder: Minimal cleanup means you spend less time at the sink and more time enjoying a cozy meal.
- Real Layers of Flavor: The combination of caramelized leeks, earthy mushrooms, and a splash of sherry creates a restaurant-quality sauce with incredible depth.
- Protein & Veggie-Packed: Tender chicken, iron-rich spinach, and a medley of mushrooms come together for a wholesome, satisfying plate.
- Fast & Impressive: Ready in about 35 minutes, Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms turns simple staples into something truly special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about the ingredients that bring Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms to life! Every single one is straightforward, readily available, and plays a vital role in giving the dish its comforting flavor, beautiful color, and irresistible texture.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs or Breasts: Choose your favorite—thighs are extra juicy while breasts are lighter. Cut into even pieces for foolproof cooking.
- Salt and Pepper: Don’t skip the seasoning! Salt and pepper create the essential flavor base for both the chicken and veggies.
- Olive Oil: A good drizzle gives the chicken its gorgeous golden crust and helps sauté the veggies gently.
- Leek (white and light green parts only): Sweet, delicate leeks add a subtle onion flavor that pairs wonderfully with the earthiness of mushrooms.
- Crimini (Baby Bella) Mushrooms: Their meaty texture and deep, savory flavor soak up the sauce beautifully.
- Garlic: Eight cloves might sound like a lot, but the mellow, aromatic hit permeates every layer.
- Flour: Just a touch, for thickening the sauce into luscious silkiness—no lumps, I promise!
- Chicken Stock: The foundation of your sauce. Use low-sodium so you can control the seasoning.
- Dry Sherry: Adds an elegant, nutty depth—feel free to substitute with white wine if needed.
- Dried Thyme: Its gentle herbal note brings the whole dish together and complements both chicken and veggies.
- Baby Spinach: Tossed in at the end, spinach lends vibrant green color and a boost of nutrients.
- Plain Greek Yogurt (full fat): The magic finishing touch—it turns the sauce creamy and luscious without heaviness.
Variations
One of the best things about Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms is how flexible it is—don’t be afraid to adapt it to what you have on hand, personal tastes, or diet needs. It’s meant to be a canvas for your creativity!
- Make it Creamier: Add a splash of cream or half-and-half along with the yogurt for an even richer sauce.
- Add More Greens: Swap in kale, chard, or arugula for a different leafy texture and flavor.
- Go Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour or skip the flour and let the sauce stay brothy and lighter.
- Vegetarian Version: Try swapping the chicken for cannellini beans or plant-based chicken, and use veggie broth.
How to Make Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms
Step 1: Season & Sear the Chicken
Start by patting your chicken dry and giving it a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper. This simple step builds a flavorful foundation. Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan until shimmering, then lay the chicken in a single layer so it browns evenly. Cook the first side until just golden in spots, then flip and repeat. Once both sides are beautifully seared, set the chicken aside on a plate.
Step 2: Sauté Leeks, Mushrooms, and Garlic
Add the sliced leeks and quartered mushrooms to the same pan (no need to wipe it out—you want those flavorful bits). Sauté until the mushrooms are tender and the leeks have started to caramelize. Once everything looks golden and smells wonderful, stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant—about two more minutes.
Step 3: Build the Sauce
Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed veggies and stir well, making sure there are no raw flour bits. This is your creamy secret weapon! Let it cook for a minute to lose any floury taste, then pour in the chicken stock, dry sherry, and dried thyme. Stir and bring it all to a gentle boil—if your sauce thickens too much, just splash in more stock until it’s silky and spoon-coating.
Step 4: Simmer with Spinach
Return the seared chicken (and any juices) to the pan, nestling the pieces into the sauce. Scatter the baby spinach over the top, cover the pan, and let everything cook together for about 4–5 minutes. This lets the chicken finish cooking through and the spinach wilt into the sauce.
Step 5: Finish with Yogurt
When everything is cooked and the kitchen smells like heaven, remove the pan from the heat. Stir well to mix the wilted spinach throughout. Now gently swirl in the Greek yogurt—it turns your sauce creamy, tangy, and luscious. Take a moment to savor how gorgeous Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms looks before serving!
Pro Tips for Making Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms
- Golden Searing: Pat the chicken dry and don’t overcrowd the pan—this ensures that gorgeous, flavorful browning for maximum depth in your sauce.
- Yogurt Swirl: If you use low-fat or nonfat yogurt, temper it with a few spoonfuls of hot sauce to prevent curdling when you add it to the pan.
- Sauce Consistency: For a sauce that perfectly coats the chicken, start with the called-for chicken stock, and add a little more as needed—remember, the sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Vegetable Prep: Slice the leeks thinly and clean them well—they often hide dirt inside those lovely layers!
How to Serve Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms
Garnishes
A shower of fresh herbs—think parsley, chives, or even tarragon—brightens up the dish and makes it pop. A squeeze of lemon right before serving adds a gentle acidity that ties everything together. For a rustic touch, scatter some shaved Parmesan on top just before bringing it to the table.
Side Dishes
Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms practically begs for a crusty hunk of bread, creamy mashed potatoes, or steamed rice to catch that dreamy sauce. For lighter fare, serve it alongside cauliflower rice, or toss together a simple green salad with a zesty vinaigrette.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun dinner party vibe, serve the chicken family-style in a big skillet for that farmhouse feel. Or, for a beautiful plated presentation, mound the spinach and mushrooms on toasted sourdough and top with sliced chicken and a drizzle of sauce. You can even spoon it over puff pastry or a baked potato for an unexpected twist!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms keeps beautifully! Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors meld even further, making tomorrow’s lunch extra special.
Freezing
You can freeze this dish, but for best texture, freeze it before adding the yogurt. Thawed yogurt sauce can sometimes separate, but if you stir well when reheating, it will still taste delicious!
Reheating
Gently reheat leftovers on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken stock if the sauce has thickened too much. If you’re using the microwave, cover loosely and heat in short bursts, stirring between each until warmed through.
FAQs
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Can I substitute a different green for the spinach?
Absolutely! Try baby kale, Swiss chard, or even arugula. Wilt them just as you would spinach—hearty greens might need a minute or two longer to soften.
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Is it possible to make Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms dairy-free?
Yes! Swap the Greek yogurt for your favorite unsweetened non-dairy yogurt or cashew cream. The sauce will still be creamy and delicious, just with a slightly different flavor.
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What kind of chicken should I use—breasts or thighs?
Both work beautifully. Chicken thighs are juicier and a bit more forgiving (harder to overcook), while chicken breasts make for a lighter bite. Use whatever you prefer, or even a mix!
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How do I prevent the yogurt from curdling in the sauce?
Tempering is key: stir a few spoonfuls of the hot sauce into the yogurt first, then add that mixture to the pan off the heat. This gently brings the yogurt up to temperature, so it blends in smoothly.
Final Thoughts
There’s something utterly inviting about a skillet of Chicken With Spinach and Mushrooms bubbling away on a busy night. I hope this recipe makes its way into your rotation, filling your kitchen with warmth, good smells, and the happy sounds of forks clinking. Give it a try—your tastebuds (and your dinner companions) will thank you!
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 satisfying dish that combines tender chicken with earthy mushrooms, aromatic leeks, and nutritious spinach in a creamy yogurt sauce.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1.25 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 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 (see note below for nonfat)
Instructions
- Season both sides of your chicken with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken on both sides until golden, then set aside.
- Add leeks and mushrooms to the pan and saute until caramelized. Stir in garlic, then sprinkle flour over the vegetables. Add chicken stock, sherry, and thyme. Let it boil.
- Return chicken to the pan, top with spinach, and cover. Cook until chicken is done and spinach wilts.
- Remove from heat, stir in yogurt, and mix well.
Notes
- If using low or nonfat yogurt, temper it before adding to the sauce by stirring some hot sauce into it first.
- If making ahead of time, add yogurt just before serving to prevent curdling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 95mg