Spinach Artichoke Chicken

Created on February 16th, 2026 at 07:48 pm

The Creamy Skillet Dinner Everyone Loves

Spinach Artichoke Chicken takes everything you love about the classic spinach artichoke dip and transforms it into a rich, satisfying chicken dinner. Tender chicken breasts simmer in a creamy garlic sauce filled with chopped spinach, artichoke hearts, and melted Parmesan. It’s cozy, comforting, and surprisingly easy to make.

With over 21,000 searches around this keyword, it’s clear that this flavor combination is a favorite. Whether you prepare it in a skillet, bake it in the oven, or adapt it for the crockpot, this dish delivers bold flavor with minimal effort.

If you’re looking for an easy spinach artichoke chicken recipe that feels indulgent but works for weeknights, this is the one to save.

Why Spinach Artichoke Chicken Works So Well

The magic lies in balance. Spinach adds freshness and color. Artichokes bring a slightly tangy depth. Cream and cheese create that rich, velvety texture people crave. When combined with seared chicken, the result is a dinner that feels restaurant quality without complicated steps.

This recipe also fits beautifully into multiple high performing Pinterest categories:

Chicken with artichoke hearts
Artichoke chicken bake
Chicken and spinach recipes healthy
Chicken skillet recipes

If you love creamy spinach based chicken dishes, you may also enjoy Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Spinach, which uses a similar creamy base with sun-dried tomato flavor.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Spinach Artichoke Sauce

3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella
1 can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional

Fresh spinach works best, but frozen spinach can be used if fully thawed and squeezed dry.

How To Make Spinach Artichoke Chicken

Step 1: Prepare and Season the Chicken

Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

If the chicken breasts are very thick, gently pound them to even thickness. This ensures even cooking and prevents dryness.

Step 2: Sear for Flavor

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown.

The chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this stage. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Step 3: Build the Creamy Base

In the same skillet, reduce heat slightly and add minced garlic. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.

Lower heat and stir in heavy cream and cream cheese. Whisk gently until smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Add Spinach and Artichokes

Stir in Parmesan cheese and mozzarella until melted. Add chopped artichoke hearts and spinach.

Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until spinach wilts and sauce thickens slightly.

Step 5: Finish Cooking

Return chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over the top.

Cover and simmer on low for 8 to 10 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internally and sauce is thick and creamy.

Let rest for a few minutes before serving.

How To Serve Spinach Artichoke Chicken

This dish pairs beautifully with:

Mashed potatoes
Steamed rice
Pasta
Cauliflower mash
Roasted asparagus
Garlic green beans

For a casserole style variation, transfer everything to a baking dish, top with extra mozzarella, and bake until bubbly and lightly golden. This transforms it into an artichoke chicken bake that performs very well in Pinterest searches.

Crockpot Variation

Because spinach artichoke chicken crockpot variations are heavily searched, here is how you can adapt it:

Place seasoned chicken in the slow cooker.
In a bowl, mix cream cheese, broth, garlic, and Italian seasoning.
Pour mixture over chicken.
Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
Stir in spinach, artichokes, Parmesan, and mozzarella during the last 30 minutes.

If you enjoy slow cooker creamy chicken dinners, you might also love Crockpot Creamy Mushroom Chicken, which uses a similar rich sauce technique.

Make It Healthier

Use half and half instead of heavy cream.
Reduce mozzarella slightly.
Add extra spinach for volume and fiber.
Serve over zucchini noodles instead of pasta.

This also works well with boneless skinless chicken thighs for added flavor.

Storage and Meal Prep

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat gently over low heat. Add a splash of broth or cream if needed to loosen the sauce.

For meal prep, portion with rice or roasted vegetables into individual containers.

Freezing is possible, but cream sauces may slightly separate when thawed. Reheat slowly while stirring to restore texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen spinach?
Yes. Thaw completely and squeeze out excess moisture before adding to the sauce.

Can I bake this instead of cooking on the stove?
Yes. After searing the chicken and preparing the sauce, transfer everything to a baking dish and bake at 375°F until fully cooked.

Can I make this dairy free?
You can experiment with dairy free cream alternatives, though the texture will be slightly different.

Is this recipe keto friendly?
Yes. Serve over low carb vegetables instead of rice or pasta.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely. Thighs remain extra juicy and work beautifully in creamy sauces.

Spinach Artichoke Chicken is one of those creamy chicken skillet recipes that feels indulgent yet practical. It combines comfort, bold flavor, and weeknight simplicity in one pan.