Description
This Healthier Marry Me Ground Chicken Skillet is a creamy, high-protein, low-carb dinner made with lean ground chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, Parmesan, and fresh spinach. Everything comes together in one skillet for an easy weeknight meal packed with savory Italian-inspired flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound lean ground chicken, 94% lean or less
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional (use 1/2 teaspoon for more heat)
- 1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- A few squeezes fresh lemon juice, optional
Instructions
- Brown the chicken: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the ground chicken and season with salt and black pepper. Cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking the chicken into smaller pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess fat or liquid.
- Add the aromatics: Add the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
- Make the sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream and stir until combined.
- Add the Parmesan: Stir in the grated Parmesan and cook gently until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Simmer: Let the skillet simmer uncovered for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce slightly reduces and thickens.
- Add the spinach: Add the spinach a few handfuls at a time, stirring and allowing each batch to wilt slightly before adding more.
- Finish cooking: Continue cooking uncovered for a few minutes so excess liquid released by the spinach can evaporate.
- Season and serve: Turn off the heat. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Add a few squeezes of fresh lemon juice for a brighter finish, if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly than many pre-shredded varieties.
- Add up to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes if you prefer a spicier skillet.
- Keep the skillet uncovered after adding the spinach so excess moisture can evaporate.
- Taste before adding additional salt because Parmesan, broth, and sun-dried tomatoes can already be salty.
- For a low-carb meal, serve with cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, steamed broccoli, or roasted vegetables.
- For a more traditional comfort-food dinner, serve over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheated gently. Add a splash of chicken broth if the sauce becomes too thick.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop / Skillet
- Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg