High-Protein Creamy Lemon Chicken Skillet with Spinach & Peas is a creamy and tasty dish. It contains chicken, Greek yogurt, olive oil, peas, parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, cream cheese, spinach, lemon juice, and seasonings. This dish takes only 40 minutes to prepare, good for a fast meal. Serve this dish with the cauliflower rice, Focaccia, garlic bread, and cucumber salad. Store this dish for some time to make it in advance. This dish contains dairy products, so you have to use vegan products, and it might change the taste and texture. It contains 42g protein.
STATISTICS:
- Caloric count: 420 kcal
- Time for prep: Fifteen minutes
- Cuisine: American
- Serving size: 1 bowl
- Diet: High-Protein
- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Total duration: Forty minutes
- Course: Dinner
- Serving: 4
EQUIPMENT:
- Sauté pan
- Sharp knife
- Wooden spoon
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups
- Reamer
INGREDIENTS:
- Two chicken breasts
- One tbsp. olive oil
- Three pieces cloves garlic
- 1 small onion
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup cream cheese
- One tsp. lemon zest
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 3 cups spinach
- Two tbsp. lemon juice
- ½ tsp. paprika
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp. Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp. fresh parsley
INGREDIENT NOTES:
CHICKEN BREAST:
- Use the chicken breast to make the protein-rich dish so it remains juicy and soft. Make the thin slices of the chicken so it cooks fast and takes an equal time. Utilize chicken thighs as a substitute, as they are juicier and make the dish more flavorful.
OLIVE OIL:
- Use the olive oil to toss the chicken, and it also adds good fat content to the dish. Use the extra virgin olive oil to provide more flavor and nutrients in the dish.
GARLIC:
- It is best to use the garlic to provide the bold flavors and deep taste in the dish. It is best to mince the garlic fresh for the good flavor & aroma.
ONIONS:
- It is best to use the onion dice to provide the light, sweet taste, and also to provide the aroma in this dish. It is best to use the yellow or white onions, so they get soft nicely.
CHICKEN BROTH:
- It is best to use the low-sodium chicken broth to make the light consistency of the sauce, and it also makes the dish rich and indulgent. If we use the reduced-sodium broth soup, so add the salt according to taste.
GREEK YOGURT:
- Utilize the pure Greek Yogurt to provide the creaminess and protein content. It is best to utilize the full-fat yogurt to make it more flavorful, and don’t use the flavored Yogurt.
LIGHT CREAM CHEESE:
- It is used to make a smooth and rich sauce, and it doesn’t make the dish heavy. Utilize the neutral temperature cream cheese so it doesn’t form lumps.
FROZEN PEAS:
- It is used to provide the sweet taste, color, and additional fiber content in the dish. It is best to use the fresh peas for the best taste, but frozen peas also work. It beautifully keeps the color bright.
SPINACH:
- Spinach is added to provide a fresh taste and nutrients. It wilts quickly, and baby spinach is best utilized as it is soft.
LEMON JUICE:
- Use the lemon juice to provide a good taste and also keep the dish bright. Fresh lemon juice is best to provide the strong taste, as the bottled lemon juice doesn’t provide the same results.
LEMON ZEST:
- It will add a strong lemon flavor and aroma to the dish. Zest the lemon fresh for good outcomes.
PAPRIKA:
- It is best to add the mild flavor and light smoky taste to the dish. It is best to use the sweet paprika, which will add color. It is best to use the smoked paprika to provide the smoky taste.
BLACK PEPPER:
- Fresh black pepper will enrich the savory taste and also add spice to the dish. You can add it as you like.
SALT:
- It is added to balance the taste of the dish, and it will boost the taste. Taste the sauce, then add the salt, as Parmesan contains salt on its own.
RED PEPPER FLAKES:
- These are included to provide the spiciness in the dish. It will beautifully pair with the creamy lemon taste. Modify the quantity of flakes according to your own taste.
PARMESAN CHEESE:
- It will add the umami and indulgent flavor, and it also helps to thicken the sauce texture. It is best to use the freshly grated cheese for the best outcomes, but using the pre-shredded cheese is more convenient.
PARSLEY:
- It is best to add the fresh flavor & color to the dish. It will help to brighten the taste and also add color to it.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Heat the oil in skillet on a medium flame.
- Include the salt, paprika, & pepper in chicken.
- Include the chicken in the pan and cook for 5 to 6 minutes till it gets golden and cooked, then put it aside.
- Then include onions in same skillet & cook for 3 minutes till they get soft.
- Put garlic & toss it for thirty seconds till aromatic.
- Then add the chicken broth, mix well, and scrape the brown bits.
- Now lower the flame and mix the cream cheese to make it smooth.
- Mix the Lemon juice, Greek yogurt, and lemon zest.
- Include the peas and spinach, and cook till they wilt.
- Add the chicken to the pan and mix to coat the chicken.
- Include the parmesan & simmer for two to three minutes till it gets creamy.
- Add parsley & serve.
WHAT TO SERVE:
SIDES (LOW-CARB):
- Zoodles
- Roasted Asparagus
- Cauliflower Rice
- Garlic Green Beans
- Sautéed Mushrooms
GRAIN PAIRING:
- Brown Rice
- Quinoa
- Wild Rice
- Couscous
- Buttered Egg Noodles
BREAD:
- Garlic Bread
- Herb Focaccia
- Sourdough Bread
- Dinner Rolls
- Parmesan Breadsticks
FRESH SALAD:
- Caesar Salad
- Cucumber Dill Salad
- Arugula Salad
- Greek Salad
- Tomato Basil Salad
ROASTED VEGETABLES:
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Honey Carrots
- Parmesan Broccoli
- Lemon Roasted Zucchini
- Garlic Cauliflower
PROTEINS:
- Grilled Shrimp
- Turkey Meatballs
- Crispy Chickpeas
- Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Cottage Cheese
SOUP PAIRING:
- Tomato Soup
- Chicken Vegetable Soup
- Broccoli Soup
- Lentil Soup
- Lemon Herb Soup
TIPS:
- Make the chicken slices of equal size so they cook evenly.
- Don’t use the cold Greek yogurt as it gets curdled.
- You have to cook the sauce on a low flame after the addition of dairy items.
- Include the additional chicken broth if the sauce thickens too much.
- Utilize fresh lemon juice to provide the bright taste.
STORAGE INFORMATION:
Add the leftover dish to the tight vessel.
FRIDGE:
- Store the dish for 4 days.
FREEZER:
- Freeze the dish for 2 months.
FAQs:
Can I make this dish with the chicken thighs?
- We can easily prepare this dish with the chicken thighs as tis are juicier and make the dish more flavorful.
How to prepare the dairy-free dish?
- Utilize the vegan yogurt and cream cheese to make the dairy-free dish.
Is this dish perfect for the meal planning?
- It stores and reheats perfectly, so it is perfect for meal planning.
Will I include the vegetables in this dish?
- Include the vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, and mushrooms in the dish as they are the best items.
What to use as a pea substitute?
- Use the Edamame or chopped green beans; they are the best alternatives.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
Caloric count: 420 kcal
Iron: 2.8 mg
Total carbs: 14 g
Vitamin A: 0.9 mg
Net carbs: 10 g
Fiber: 4 g
Calcium: 220 mg
Protein: 42 g
Serving size: 1 bowl
Sodium: 540mg
Serving: 4 servings
Potassium: 780 mg
