Spinach Lemon Butter Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken cutlets pan-seared and finished in a bright lemon-butter sauce, served over wilted spinach.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 5.3 oz each), pounded to 1/2-inch thickness
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1/2 cup (2 oz) all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour blend for dredging

→ Spinach

05 - 14 oz fresh baby spinach
06 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
07 - 1 clove garlic, minced
08 - Pinch of salt

→ Lemon Butter Sauce

09 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
12 - Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
13 - 2/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
14 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, optional
15 - 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed and drained, optional
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
17 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for garnish
18 - Lemon slices for serving, optional

# How To Make It:

01 - Pat the chicken cutlets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge each piece in flour, shaking off excess.
02 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer, working in batches if necessary. Cook 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove to a plate and tent loosely with foil.
03 - Lower heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the pan. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth, lemon juice, and zest, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Stir in Dijon mustard and capers if using. Simmer 2 to 3 minutes until slightly reduced.
04 - Return chicken to the skillet, turning to coat in the sauce. Simmer gently for 2 minutes until heated through.
05 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a separate large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add spinach and a pinch of salt, sautéing for 1 to 2 minutes just until wilted. Remove from heat.
06 - Arrange wilted spinach on individual plates. Top with chicken cutlets and spoon lemon butter sauce over each portion. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like something you would order at a nice restaurant
  • Everything cooks in one pan plus a quick side skillet, making cleanup surprisingly manageable
  • The combination of tangy lemon, rich butter, and fresh spinach somehow manages to feel light and indulgent at the same time
02 -
  • Dont rush the garlic in the sauce step or it will turn bitter and harsh
  • Low sodium chicken broth is non negotiable since the sauce reduces and concentrates salt
  • The sauce will look thin at first but thickens beautifully as it simmers and coats the chicken
03 -
  • Pound your chicken breasts between plastic wrap for even thickness and faster cooking
  • Have all your sauce ingredients measured and ready before you start cooking
  • Warm your plates in the oven for 5 minutes to keep everything hot
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