Delicious and Easy Keto Chicken and Spinach Recipes

For those following a ketogenic diet, finding satisfying and flavorful recipes can sometimes be a challenge. Chicken and spinach are two versatile ingredients that can be combined in countless ways to create delicious and healthy keto-friendly meals. This article explores a variety of keto chicken and spinach recipes, offering options for quick weeknight dinners, elegant meals, and everything in between.

Quick and Easy Keto Chicken Florentine

When time is short, and cravings for something creamy and comforting hit, Keto Chicken Florentine is the answer. This recipe elevates simple chicken breast and spinach into a dish the whole family will enjoy. The secret lies in the creamy sauce, which comes together in under 30 minutes.

Creamy Base

The foundation of this dish is a rich, high-fat cream sauce made with heavy cream. This creamy base allows the chicken to cook through without drying out, ensuring a tender and flavorful result. While the sauce is delicious on its own, the addition of fresh minced garlic and a splash of white wine elevates the flavors to another level.

Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor

Keeping the ingredients minimal, around two to three additions, allows the individual flavors to shine. In this recipe, tender chicken, fresh spinach, and the creamy sauce create a harmonious blend of tastes and textures. For those who prefer a thicker sauce, xanthan gum can be added, but use it sparingly to avoid an overly thick consistency.

Perfect for Meal Prep

This Keto Chicken Florentine recipe is so delicious and easy to make that doubling the batch for leftovers is a great idea. The minimal ingredients, short cook time, and easy cleanup make it ideal for meal prepping for the week ahead.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Instructions

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tbsp of olive oil.
2. Butterfly the chicken breasts and season with salt and pepper.
3. Add the breasts to the hot skillet and sauté on both sides until cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Chicken should be light golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate.
4. Add the garlic, butter, and red onion to the pan. Cook until fragrant, 1-2 minutes.
5. Add the wine to the skillet (feel free to substitute with broth). Let it simmer and reduce 2-3 minutes.
6. Add the spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 1 minute.
7. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add heavy cream. Stir using a wooden spoon. If desired, add additional salt and pepper to taste.
8. Transfer the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet and simmer for 2-3 minutes until heated through. Flip the chicken in the sauce to coat.

Keto Chicken with Spinach and Mushrooms Skillet

This one-pan skillet dinner is another family favorite, ready in under 40 minutes. It features a creamy sauce, tender chicken, and nutrient-rich vegetables, making it a complete and satisfying meal.

Versatile Ingredients

While this recipe calls for chicken thighs, boneless, skinless chicken breast can also be used. Chicken thighs are often preferred for their flavor and ability to stay moist during cooking. For the creamy sauce, Swiss cheese and heavy cream provide the base, keeping the carb count low and the flavor high. Parmesan or Asiago cheese can be substituted for a different flavor profile.

Veggie Power

Spinach and mushrooms are the stars of the vegetable component, adding color, flavor, and essential nutrients. Fresh spinach and mushrooms are recommended over canned or frozen for the best taste and texture.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Season the chicken thighs with salt and black pepper.
2. Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat. Add the oil and when hot brown the chicken for about 3 minutes on both sides.
3. Take out the chicken and add butter. Brown the mushrooms to a golden brown.
4. Mix well and then add the chicken back.
5. Lastly take out the chicken and whisk in the heavy cream and shredded Swiss cheese.
6. Once the cheese is melted and the sauce is made add in the spinach and let it just wilt.
7. Serve as is for a low carb dinner or eat it on top of cauliflower rice. If you don’t care about carbs, you can eat it over white rice or egg noodles.
8. Store leftovers in an airtight container.

Tips for the Perfect Skillet Dinner

Adding half of the spinach into the cream sauce and mixing well, then adding more fresh spinach right before serving keeps the spinach green and prevents it from shrinking too much. Baby portobello mushrooms are a great choice for their meaty texture.

Pan-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Garlic Parmesan Creamed Spinach

This recipe combines the crispy skin of pan-roasted chicken thighs with a creamy, garlicky spinach. It’s a flavorful and satisfying meal that's also keto-friendly and relatively hands-off.

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

Crispy Skin and Tender Chicken

Using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs results in incredibly flavorful and tender meat with a delicious crisp skin. The skin absorbs the flavors of the spices, adding a textural contrast to the tender chicken. Roasting the chicken in a cast-iron pan on the stove ensures even cooking and caramelization.

Garlic Parmesan Creamed Spinach

Garlic is a key ingredient in this recipe, infusing both the chicken and the spinach with its pungent aroma. The garlic melds beautifully with the spinach and chicken, creating a cohesive and flavorful dish.

Cooking Instructions

1. Roast the chicken in a castiron pan, on the stove on medium-high heat.
2. Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer. All chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

One-Pot Creamed Spinach Chicken (Paleo, Whole30 Friendly, Dairy-Free)

For those with dietary restrictions, this one-pot creamed spinach chicken is a fantastic option. It's paleo, Whole30 friendly, and dairy-free, yet still delivers a creamy, cheesy flavor.

Dairy-Free Creaminess

The secret to the creamy texture in this dairy-free recipe is Kite Hill cream cheese, which is almond milk-based. Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor without the dairy.

Flavorful Base

Onions and garlic are sautéed to create a fragrant base, followed by the addition of cream cheese, broth, lemon juice, and mustard. This combination creates a tangy and savory sauce that complements the chicken and spinach perfectly.

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

Recipe

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of the oil or ghee to the skillet, then once hot, add the chicken in a single layer. Cook about 6-7 minutes per side, or until the outside is nicely browned and inside is cooked through.
2. Lower the heat a bit and add the remaining oil. Add the onions and cook until translucent, then add the garlic and cook another 45-60 seconds.
3. Add in the cream cheese, broth, lemon juice and mustard. Stir in the nutritional yeast if using. Whisk well to combine as you cook for 60 seconds.
4. Stir in the spinach and cook just until it wilts, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Return the cooked chicken back to the skillet and let simmer for one minute to heat through, then remove from heat and serve immediately.

Keto Tuscan Chicken

This recipe is a tribute to simple ingredients and quick, flavorful meals. Sun-dried tomatoes, a creamy garlic sauce, and wilted spinach combine to create a dish that's both satisfying and easy to make.

Tuscan Flavors

Anything with "Tuscan" in the name evokes images of rich, flavorful cuisine. This Keto Tuscan Chicken recipe delivers on that promise with its combination of sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Italian herbs.

Versatile Chicken

Boneless and skinless chicken thighs are recommended for their tenderness and ease of cooking, but any cut of chicken can be used. The recipe is easily adaptable to personal preferences.

Dairy-Free Option

For those who prefer a dairy-free version, canned coconut milk can be substituted for heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese can be omitted or replaced with a vegan substitute.

Making It

1. Pat dry the chicken thighs with paper towels and set them on a plate.
2. Combine the salt, pepper, paprika and garlic granules in a small dish. Sprinkle the seasonings liberally on both sides of the chicken.
3. Heat the oil/ghee in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs in the pan (you may need to fry them in two batches) and cook them for about 5 minutes on each side or until they're golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and place them on a plate. Set aside.
4. Deglaze the pan with the white wine (or chicken broth), scraping up all the browned bits on the bottom.
5. Reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds, then mix in the sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasoning.
6. Stir in the heavy cream and simmer the sauce for 5 minutes.
7. Add the Parmesan cheese, if using. Mix in the fresh spinach, stirring the mixture until the spinach wilts.
8. Add the chicken back to the pan and spoon the sauce on top of the chicken pieces. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes.

Tips for Perfect Keto Tuscan Chicken

Using ghee for pan-frying the chicken thighs results in a beautiful, golden-brown crust. If the chicken thighs are browning too quickly, reduce the stovetop to medium heat.

Creamy Chicken Spinach Bake

This recipe is a simple and comforting casserole that's perfect for a cozy night in. It combines chicken, spinach, and a creamy cheese sauce for a dish that's both satisfying and easy to prepare.

Simple Layers

The Creamy Chicken Spinach Bake is made by layering diced chicken, fresh baby spinach, and a creamy cheese mixture in a baking dish. The casserole is then baked until bubbly and golden brown.

Cheesy Goodness

The cheese sauce is made with a combination of cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, and sour cream, creating a rich and flavorful base. A stronger cheese, such as sharp cheddar, can be used for a different flavor profile.

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Coat a 9x13" baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Spread out the chicken in the dish.
3. Layer the spinach over the top, keeping it as flat as possible.
4. In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, ¼ cup of mozzarella, the sour cream, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Spoon the mixture on top of the spinach.
6. Cover with kitchen foil and bake for 20 minutes.
7. Remove from the oven, uncover, and top with more mozzarella.

Keto Chicken Florentine (One-Pan Dinner)

This one-pan Keto Chicken Florentine recipe is an easy and delicious way to enjoy a low-carb meal. Seared chicken breasts and a rich, creamy spinach sauce make this one of the best low carb chicken skillet meals.

Florentine Inspiration

Florentine refers to a dish cooked "Florence-style," as in Florence, Italy. This recipe takes inspiration from the classic dish, transforming it into a keto-friendly version.

Almond Flour Coating

Instead of dredging the chicken in flour, this recipe uses blanched almond flour, which greatly lowers the carbs and keeps the recipe gluten-free.

Making the Dish

1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge each piece in the almond flour to coat both sides.
2. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F on a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the thickest portion. Remove to a clean plate.
3. Return the pan to the stovetop on medium heat. Add the 2 tablespoons of butter, the shallot, and the garlic. Cook 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the wine and raise the heat. Reduce by half, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Once reduced, stir in the heavy cream. Cook a few minutes to thicken.
4. Add the spinach to the skillet and cook down until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
5. Nestle the pieces of chicken back into the pan to warm. Spoon the sauce over the chicken. Sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese and parsley, if using. Serve immediately.

Serving Suggestions

Chicken Florentine can be enjoyed as is, or served over spaghetti squash, zoodles, or cauliflower rice.

One-Pan Keto Chicken and Spinach

This recipe uses minimal ingredients and is cooked entirely in one pan, making it a convenient and flavorful option for a quick and easy keto meal.

One-Pan Simplicity

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. All the ingredients are cooked in one pan, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor.

Instructions

1. Measure out and prepare all the ingredients.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, add the oil and chicken thighs. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temp of 165F. Set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add the butter, onion, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir to combine well.
4. Then, add in the heavy cream, chicken broth, sun-dried tomatoes, and softened cream cheese. Stir to combine and let simmer for a few minutes.
5. Add in the grated parmesan cheese and spinach.

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