Pan-Seared Chicken with Spinach & Burst Tomatoes
⏱ Time
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: ~40 minutes
🍽 Serves
2–3 people
🧾 Ingredients
Chicken
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika (smoked if possible)
1 tsp Italian seasoning or dried oregano
½ tsp garlic powder
Vegetables
2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes
3 cups fresh baby spinach
3 cloves garlic (thinly sliced or minced)
Sauce & Cooking
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
½ cup chicken broth (or white wine for deeper flavor)
Optional: pinch of chili flakes
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prep the chicken
Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels (important for browning).
Season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
Let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
2. Sear the chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add chicken breasts and cook 5–6 minutes per side, without moving them too much.
You want a deep golden crust.
Remove chicken from pan and set aside (it will finish cooking later).
3. Cook the tomatoes
Lower heat to medium.
In the same pan, add cherry tomatoes.
Let them cook undisturbed for 2–3 minutes until they blister and start to burst.
Stir gently to release their juices.
4. Build the flavor
Add butter and garlic to the pan.
Stir for 30 seconds until fragrant (don’t let garlic burn).
Pour in balsamic vinegar and chicken broth.
Scrape the bottom of the pan — that’s pure flavor.
5. Wilt the spinach
Add spinach in batches.
Toss gently until just wilted (about 1–2 minutes).
6. Finish the chicken
Return chicken breasts to the pan.
Spoon sauce and tomatoes over the top.
Simmer 5–7 minutes, until chicken is cooked through (internal temp 74°C / 165°F).
🔥 Pro Tips
For extra juiciness: pound chicken slightly for even thickness.
Want it richer? Add a splash of cream at the end.
Love herbs? Finish with fresh basil or thyme.
🍽 How to Serve
Over mashed potatoes or creamy polenta
With crusty bread to soak up the sauce
Alongside rice, quinoa, or pasta
