This Spinach Chicken in Mushroom Garlic Sauce is a rich and creamy dish that’s perfect for a cozy dinner. Juicy chicken breast pieces are cooked with sautéed mushrooms, garlic, and tender spinach in a flavorful, creamy sauce. The addition of cream cheese and Cremefine (or cream) makes this dish irresistibly smooth, while the hint of chili gives it a pleasant kick. It pairs beautifully with tagliatelle, spaetzle, or your favorite pasta. Let’s dive into the recipe!
Ingredients
- 400 – 500 g (14 – 17.5 oz) chicken breast fillets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 250 g (9 oz) leaf spinach, frozen (thawed) or fresh
- 220 g (8 oz) mushrooms, quartered
- ½ cup Cremefine for cooking (or heavy cream)
- 100 g (3.5 oz) cream cheese
- 250 ml (1 cup) vegetable stock
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chili powder or flakes, to taste
- Oil for frying
- Chives, chopped, for garnish
- Flour, to thicken (optional)
- 1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- Bacon (optional, as desired)
Nutritional Information (per serving, makes 4 servings)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Calcium: 100 mg
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken
a. Cut and Season the Chicken:
Cut the chicken breast fillets into bite-sized pieces. Season the chicken well with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of chili powder or flakes for a bit of heat.
b. Fry the Chicken:
Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and fry briefly until they are lightly browned on the outside. Be careful not to overcook the chicken, as it can become dry. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
2. Sauté the Aromatics and Vegetables
a. Sauté Onion and Garlic:
In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté over medium heat until the onions are translucent and the garlic is fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
b. Add Mushrooms:
Add the quartered mushrooms to the pan and continue to sauté for another 5-6 minutes until the mushrooms are golden brown and have released their moisture.
3. Cook the Spinach
a. Add Spinach:
If using frozen spinach, make sure it is fully thawed and drained of excess water. Add the spinach to the pan with the mushrooms, stirring to combine. Cook until the spinach is wilted and fully incorporated.
4. Make the Creamy Sauce
a. Deglaze with Vegetable Stock:
Pour in the vegetable stock and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. This will deglaze the pan, lifting all the delicious browned bits from the bottom.
b. Add Cremefine and Cream Cheese:
Stir in the ½ cup of Cremefine (or heavy cream) and the cream cheese. Allow the sauce to come to a boil briefly, stirring constantly until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
c. Thicken if Necessary:
If the sauce is too thin, you can thicken it with a little flour. Simply whisk 1 tablespoon of flour with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the sauce and cook until it thickens to your desired consistency.
5. Combine and Heat Through
a. Add the Chicken Back to the Pan:
Return the cooked chicken pieces to the pan, stirring to coat them in the creamy sauce. Let them heat through for about 2-3 minutes.
b. Adjust Seasoning:
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or chili flakes as needed.
6. Serve
a. Garnish and Serve:
Garnish the dish with freshly chopped chives for a pop of color and extra flavor. Serve hot over tagliatelle, spaetzle, or your favorite pasta.
Tips for the Best Spinach Chicken in Mushroom Garlic Sauce
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: To keep the chicken juicy, fry it just until it’s no longer pink on the outside, as it will continue to cook when added back to the sauce.
- Fresh or Frozen Spinach: Both fresh and frozen spinach work well in this recipe. If using frozen spinach, ensure it is fully thawed and excess water is squeezed out to prevent the sauce from becoming too watery.
- Add Bacon for Extra Flavor: For a richer taste, consider adding crispy bacon pieces to the sauce.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce if needed.
Enjoy this Spinach Chicken in a Delicious Mushroom Garlic Sauce, a comforting and flavorful dish that’s perfect for any night of the week!
