Spinach Lemon Butter Chicken (Printable)

Golden pan-seared chicken in bright lemon butter sauce over wilted spinach

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 5 ounces each), pounded to 1/2-inch thickness
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour blend for dredging

→ Spinach

05 - 14 ounces 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:

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 and cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden and just 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 garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth, lemon juice, and zest, scraping up browned bits. Stir in Dijon mustard and capers if using. Simmer 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced.
04 - Return chicken to the skillet, turning to coat in the sauce. Simmer gently 2 minutes until heated through.
05 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a separate large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add spinach and a pinch of salt; sauté 1-2 minutes just until wilted.
06 - Arrange wilted spinach on plates. Top with chicken cutlets and spoon lemon butter sauce over. Garnish with parsley and lemon slices.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The lemon butter sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like something from a restaurant
  • Everything happens in one pan except for a quick spinach wilt, making cleanup surprisingly manageable
02 -
  • Do not crowd the pan when searing the chicken or it will steam instead of brown
  • The sauce will look thin at first but thickens as it simmers and coats the back of a spoon
03 -
  • Pound the chicken between plastic wrap for even thickness and less mess
  • Have all ingredients measured before you start, the sauce moves fast
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