Weeknight Balsamic Garlic Chicken with Tomatoes & Spinach
This easy weeknight meal features succulent chicken breasts or thighs seared to golden perfection and then simmered in a rich balsamic-garlic sauce with juicy tomatoes and fresh spinach. It's a flavorful and satisfying dish that comes together quickly for a delicious dinner.
Equipment
- oven-safe skillet (cast iron or stainless steel)
- wooden spoon
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4-5 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar good quality recommended
- 1 can (14.5 ounce) diced tomatoes undrained (or 1.5 cups halved cherry tomatoes)
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup chicken broth optional, for thinning sauce
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley optional, for garnish, chopped
Instructions
Cooking Steps
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 4-6 minutes per side until golden brown, then remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium, add minced garlic, and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Pour in balsamic vinegar, scraping up any browned bits from the pan, then stir in the diced tomatoes.
- Add fresh spinach in batches, stirring until each batch wilts before adding more, until all spinach is incorporated.
- Return the seared chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has reduced; add chicken broth if the sauce is too thick.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
The quality of balsamic vinegar significantly impacts the flavor of this dish. For best results, use a high-quality balsamic vinegar. You can serve this chicken with rice, pasta, or a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.