Creamy Chicken with Spinach and Peppers

This creamy spinach & pepper chicken is ready in 30 minutes. Tender chicken, sweet peppers and spinach simmer in a rich tomato sauce, an easy weeknight dinner that serves 4.

🥩 High-Protein | 🌿 Gluten-Free

More quick dinners from my kitchen: my zesty lemon chicken recipe when you want something bright and tangy, and these 15-minute udon noodles when you need dinner fast.

On chilly nights, try my creamy chicken gnocchi vegetable soup or my hearty turkey mince stir-fry noodles. For something Italian-style, my pesto zucchini gnocchi is an easy pick.

💗 Why This Recipe Works

• Ready in 30 minutes
• One-pan dinner, minimal cleanup
• High-protein, veggie-packed
• Naturally gluten-free and low-carb

🌿 Dietary Notes & Adaptations

✓ 🥑 Keto-friendly (7g net carbs*). Double the spinach, add avocado garnish.
✓ 🥥 Paleo-approved (use all olive oil, no dairy). Ensure tomatoes have no added sugars.
✓ 3️⃣0️⃣ Whole30-compliant (check tomato can for additives). Skip paprika if it contains anti-caking agents.
✓ 🌾 Gluten-free (naturally grain-free)

🥘 Ingredients

*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

• When selecting chicken breasts, opt for free-range, organic, or corn-fed options. Trust your eyes and hands - you want plump, pink cuts that feel firm, without any excess liquid in the package. If you've got an extra 15 minutes, a quick saltwater brine (just 1 tablespoon salt dissolved in 1 cup water) works wonders for keeping the meat juicy.
• For extra flavour, try quickly charring the skins over a gas flame before slicing.
• Spinach comes with options: fresh baby leaves stay bright and tender, while frozen spinach gives deeper, earthier notes.
• For the tomato base, good-quality canned whole tomatoes (look for San Marzano if possible) blend up silky smooth. In summer, fresh ripe Romas work too if you roast them first. If the sauce seems thin, just let it bubble away uncovered for a few extra minutes - this trick never fails.

♻️ Substitutions

• Protein: Swap chicken or turkey breast for tofu, seitan, tempeh, beans, or lentils.
• Peppers: Use Romano or Poblano peppers.
• Tomatoes: Replace canned tomatoes with fresh diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, or passata.
• Spinach: Substitute spinach with fresh or frozen kale or Swiss chard.
• Garlic: Use garlic powder or garlic paste if fresh garlic is unavailable.
• Olive Oil: Any cooking oil, like vegetable oil or coconut oil, can replace olive oil.
• Seasonings: Use alternative herbs and spices like Italian seasoning or chilli powder.

📋 Variations

This recipe is incredibly easy to change up, allowing for effortless adaptations and simple variations.

• Make the sauce more creamy: Add cream or coconut milk to the tomato sauce.
• Add a spicy kick: Sprinkle red pepper flakes or add diced jalapeños.
• More herbs: Mix in fresh herbs like parsley for added freshness, or make it Italian-style by adding basil, oregano, and thyme to the tomato sauce.
• Mediterranean style: Toss in olives, capers, and artichoke hearts.
• Make it vegetarian: Replace chicken with extra veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, tofu or tempeh cutlets for a meatless option. Sautéing a mix of mushrooms like cremini, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms along with the spinach will pair beautifully with the tomato sauce.
• Pasta Primavera: Add cooked pasta to the spinach and bell pepper chicken for a one-pot meal. Blanched vegetables like broccoli or peas will add extra nutrition.

👩‍🍳 How To Make Creamy Chicken with Spinach and Peppers

I absolutely love this creamy spinach and pepper chicken recipe-it's a lifesaver for a busy weeknight! It's truly as effortless as making my quick and easy lemon chicken. If you're hunting for even more inspiration, you can browse more options in my chicken recipe dinners collection!

Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil, diced chicken (or turkey), and season with salt, pepper, and paprika.

Step 2: Cook the chicken covered for about 10 minutes until tender.

Step 5: Add spinach (thawed if frozen) and stir into the sauce. Cover and cook for 3 minutes until wilted.

Step 6: Serve with traditional Romanian polenta - mamaliga for a complete meal.

*See the recipe card for detailed instructions. 

💭 Expert Tips

• Toast the paprika in oil first for maximum aroma.
• Stir half the spinach in early for a sneaky veggie boost, and add the rest at the end for fresh pops of green.
• Frozen pepper strips are a lifesaver for busy nights.
• Grate garlic directly into the pan for a bolder flavor.

🥗 Serving Suggestions

Pair this creamy chicken with:

• Easy Lebanese vermicelli rice (ready in 20 mins)
• Simple Turkish bulgur pilaf for a nutty twist
• Crispy Parmesan potato wedges
• An easy homemade bread with few ingredients (perfect for sauce-dipping)

Lighter option: This stew is amazing with creamy Romanian polenta (mămăligă), and you can look at how I serve polenta at home for some simple options.

❓Creamy Chicken with Spinach and Peppers FAQs

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📖 Recipe

Tomato chicken with spinach and bell peppers

Claudia Ciorteanu

I love serving this creamy Spinach & Pepper Chicken over pasta, rice, or just with some warm bread. It's super quick, low-carb, and honestly so tasty-perfect for a weeknight the whole family will actually enjoy!

5 from 18 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Main Course / Entrée

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 4

Calories 299 kcal

Video

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 lb chicken or turkey breast diced
• ▢ 3 bell peppers (mixed colors), cut lengthwise
• ▢ 1 can tomatoes blended (14 oz/)
• ▢ 3 cups fresh (or 1 cup frozen) spinach
• ▢ 4 garlic cloves minced
• ▢ 4 tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ▢ Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Sprinkle in the paprika and stir for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  4 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Add the diced chicken or turkey, season with salt and pepper, and stir in the garlic. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is tender and golden. If the skillet dries out, add ½ cup hot water, cover, and cook until it evaporates.
  1 lb chicken or turkey breast, Salt and black pepper, 4 garlic cloves
• Toss in the sliced bell peppers and cook for 5 minutes, just until they soften but still have a bit of bite. Your kitchen will smell amazing!
  3 bell peppers
• Pour in the blended tomatoes and stir everything together. Let it simmer for 5 minutes so the sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  1 can tomatoes
• Stir in fresh or thawed spinach, cover, and cook 2-3 minutes until wilted. If the sauce looks thin, whisk 1 teaspoon cornstarch with a splash of water and stir in.
  3 cups fresh (or 1 cup frozen) spinach
• Serve it over pasta, rice, or just with some warm, crusty bread. It's one of those quick dinners that somehow feels a bit fancy but is so easy to pull together-your family will absolutely love it!

Notes

Step-by-Step Guide: You'll find a helpful step-by-step guide to making this recipe on my blog. 

Substitutions & Twists: I’ve listed some great substitutions and variations in the post above so that you can customise the dish to your liking.

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

TIP 1: Seasoning - Don't skimp on seasoning the chicken or turkey before cooking. Salt, pepper, and paprika can greatly enhance the taste of the dish.

Tip 2: Thorough Cooking - Ensure the meat is cooked through until tender to avoid any risk of undercooked meat.

Tip 3: Freshness of Ingredients - Whenever possible, use fresh spinach and peppers for the best result. 

Nutrition

Calories: 299kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 28gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 166mgPotassium: 815mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2500IUVitamin C: 84mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 2mg

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