Do I have to use white wine vinegar?

You could use a substitute. White wine vinegar contains alcohol, but another option is apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar.

What's the difference between heavy cream vs. half-and-half?

The key difference between half-and-half and heavy cream is the fat content. While half-and-half contains less fat, it cannot replicate the rich, thick and flavorful outcome of a sauce made with heavy cream. In this recipe, you only need ½ cup of heavy cream.

How should I store and reheat leftovers?

Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat everything in a skillet over medium-low heat or the microwave in 30-second increments until it reaches the desired temperature.

How should I serve Creamy Skillet Chicken with Spinach & Mushrooms?

We love this recipe served over orzo and the way the sauce binds the small pieces of pasta together. For an earthier flavor, serve this simple dish over a wild rice blend or pilaf. Mashed sweet potatoes (or regular potatoes) would taste great with the sauce. To keep it low-carb, serve over cooked spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles.

Creamy Skillet Chicken with Spinach & Mushrooms

Name: Creamy Skillet Chicken with Spinach & Mushrooms
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken cutlets; 0.5 teaspoon salt, divided; 0.5 teaspoon ground pepper, divided; 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil; 3 cups sliced mushrooms; 3 cups coarsely chopped spinach; 0.5 cup heavy cream; 0.25 cup reduced-fat sour cream; 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar; 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder; 0.5 teaspoon onion powder

Active Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

20 mins

Servings:

4

Nutrition Profile:

Low-Carb Nut-Free Soy-Free High-Protein Egg-Free Gluten-Free

Our Creamy Skillet Chicken with Spinach & Mushrooms answers your weeknight dinner woes. It comes together in just 20 minutes and is packed with nutrients for good health. Chicken cutlets are high in protein and cook fast, which makes them perfect for this dish. Sliced mushrooms and heart-healthy spinach pair perfectly together, and check the box for easy weeknight veggies. This dish comes together with the myriad of flavors in the sauce—all of the pan bits are mixed with spices, vinegar, sour cream and heavy cream for richness. You'll be blown away at how much flavor this packs in. Keep reading for our expert tips on ingredient selection, time-saving suggestions and more.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!

We like mild-flavored cremini mushrooms, as they are presliced to save time. Alternatively, you can cut large portobello mushrooms into smaller pieces or use white button mushrooms. For a stronger flavor, consider trying oyster, maitake, porcini or shiitake mushrooms, or a mix of them.
It's best to purchase thin chicken cutlets, ideally around ¼ inch thick, so they cook quickly and evenly. If necessary, place the cutlets between parchment paper or plastic wrap and use a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy skillet to gently pound them to the desired thickness.
When cooking the chicken, wait about 3 minutes before flipping it, and lift it as gently as possible. It should come up easily; if you try to flip it too soon, you risk losing some of the meat and flavor.
To save time, get a 10-ounce bag of prewashed baby spinach, which provides the 3 cups needed for this recipe. If you opt for mature spinach, remove the tough stems before cooking. You can swap it for Swiss chard or kale if you wish.

Nutrition Notes

Chicken cutlets are simply boneless, skinless chicken breasts that have been cut in half. Chicken is an excellent source of protein. It also contains B vitamins to maintain good metabolic health, zinc for immune function and magnesium and potassium for blood pressure regulation.
Mushrooms are a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate food that works with many different types of dishes. They are a source of multiple B vitamins, which support brain and metabolic health. They also have a special type of fiber called beta-glucan, which can help lower cholesterol. If you find mushrooms that have been grown in ultraviolet light, then they will also be a plant-based source of vitamin D—talk about a nutrient powerhouse.
Because of its delicate texture and water content, spinach can be stirred into many dishes. It is a plant-based source of iron, which can help fight fatigue. Be sure to eat a source of vitamin C (citrus, tomatoes, kiwi, etc.) with your spinach to help your body better absorb it.

How to Make Creamy Skillet Chicken with Spinach & Mushrooms

This one-pan dinner features chicken cutlets smothered in a creamy mushroom and spinach sauce. It takes only 20 minutes from start to finish, and with only one pan to clean at the end, this family-friendly dinner will surely brighten up your busy weeknights. Here are a few tips for getting it on the table fast, plus a few variations to give it your own spin:

The Chicken

We love chicken cutlets for quick weeknight recipes. Sometimes labeled as "thin-cut," chicken cutlets are thin slices of chicken breast about ¼ inch thick. If you can't find cutlets, you can make your own by slicing boneless, skinless chicken breasts in half horizontally. Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. For a chicken cutlet, this takes about 8 minutes. You can substitute chicken tenderloins or boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the cutlets. Keep in mind that thicker pieces of chicken will take longer to cook.

A chicken breast getting sliced in half with a chefs knife — Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

The Sauce

We build the flavor of this easy sauce using the fond at the bottom of the pan left by the chicken to add savory notes. Sliced mushrooms and spinach are added to the pan first to get a head start on the cooking process. To speed up the prep, you can use presliced mushrooms for the sauce. If you have the need for speed, baby spinach is the best choice. The stems are tender and don't need to be removed before you add the spinach to the pan. Want to give this dish a slightly different spin? Opt for a mix of mushrooms for a more complex flavor (think shiitake, oyster and/or maitake mushrooms). Adult spinach, Swiss chard or kale can all stand in for the baby spinach here. Just be sure that any tough stems are removed before cooking. (Note: Tougher greens like kale may need an additional minute or two to wilt in the pan.)

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Ingredients

1 pound chicken cutlets
½ teaspoon salt, divided
½ teaspoon ground pepper, divided
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 cups sliced mushrooms
3 cups coarsely chopped spinach
½ cup heavy cream
¼ cup reduced-fat sour cream
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder

Directions

Sprinkle 1 pound chicken with ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, turning once, until cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes total. Transfer to a plate.

Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Reduce heat to medium. Add 3 cups mushrooms and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add 3 cups spinach, cover and cook, stirring once, until the mushrooms are tender, 2 more minutes. Whisk ½ cup heavy cream, ¼ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons vinegar, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder and the remaining ¼ teaspoon each of salt and pepper together in a measuring cup. Add to the pan along with any accumulated juices from the chicken; simmer, stirring, until slightly thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan and turn to coat. Serve the chicken topped with the sauce.

Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use white wine vinegar?

You could use a substitute. White wine vinegar contains alcohol, but another option is apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar.
What's the difference between heavy cream vs. half-and-half?

The key difference between half-and-half and heavy cream is the fat content. While half-and-half contains less fat, it cannot replicate the rich, thick and flavorful outcome of a sauce made with heavy cream. In this recipe, you only need ½ cup of heavy cream.
How should I store and reheat leftovers?

Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat everything in a skillet over medium-low heat or the microwave in 30-second increments until it reaches the desired temperature.
How should I serve Creamy Skillet Chicken with Spinach & Mushrooms?

We love this recipe served over orzo and the way the sauce binds the small pieces of pasta together. For an earthier flavor, serve this simple dish over a wild rice blend or pilaf. Mashed sweet potatoes (or regular potatoes) would taste great with the sauce. To keep it low-carb, serve over cooked spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles.

EatingWell.com, November 2021

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

310	Calories
19g	Fat
5g	Carbs
29g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 cutlet & generous 1/4 cup sauce
Calories 310
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 5g	2%
Dietary Fiber 1g	4%
Total Sugars 2g
Added Sugars 0g	0%
Protein 29g	58%
Total Fat 19g	24%
Saturated Fat 9g	45%
Cholesterol 123mg	41%
Vitamin A 2642IU	53%
Sodium 384mg	17%
Potassium 731mg	16%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by

Hilary Meyer