Transform busy nights into moments of culinary triumph with this incredibly easy and unbelievably delicious 20-Minute Skillet Chicken and Spinach Parmesan! It’s truly one of the simplest and most satisfying dinners you’ll ever make, guaranteed to be a hit with the entire family.
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Your Solution for Hectic Weeknights: Quick & Delicious Skillet Chicken Parmesan
Life with kids often means a whirlwind of activities, and for our family, that means swim season is in full swing! It’s a wonderful time filled with laughter and incredible exercise for the boys, Reece and Bryce. Watching them dive in and swim their hearts out night after night is an absolute joy. However, as any parent knows, this level of activity comes with a significant time commitment and a serious appetite from the little swimmers when they finally get home.
We typically have swim practice in the evenings, and while it’s fantastic for their energy, it often throws a wrench into our dinner plans. Imagine: practice ends at 7 p.m., or even earlier at 6 p.m. with the new schedule changes. This leaves precious little time to whip up a nutritious, hearty meal that satisfies hungry growing boys. That’s where I often find myself scrambling for quick, reliable dinner solutions. While I adore my slow cooker for those super busy days, I’m not always organized enough to prep in advance. On those spontaneous busy evenings, my go-to hero is always a fast, flavorful dish like this 20-Minute Skillet Chicken and Spinach Parmesan.
Why This Skillet Chicken Parmesan is a Weeknight Game Changer
This recipe isn’t just fast; it’s also packed with wholesome protein and vegetables, ensuring everyone gets the fuel they need. By the time the boys are done showering and changing out of their swim gear, dinner is hot and ready on the table. Mission accomplished! This efficiency is key for maintaining our family ritual of eating dinner together. No matter how chaotic our schedules become, mealtimes are sacred. They’re our anchor, a consistent moment to relax, share stories, and simply enjoy good food and each other’s company. This Skillet Chicken and Spinach Parmesan allows us to uphold that tradition without compromising on taste or nutrition.
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20-Minute Skillet Chicken and Spinach Parmesan
Ingredients
- 2 lbs small chicken cutlets or breast filets (approx. 6 – 8 pieces of chicken, pounded thin if using full breasts)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (divided)
- 1 1/2 cups Ragú® Old World Style® Traditional Sauce (or your favorite rich marinara)
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach (roughly chopped)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
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Prepare Chicken: Lightly season both sides of the chicken cutlets or breast filets with salt and pepper. Ensure even coverage for optimal flavor.
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Create Coating Mixture: In a small, shallow bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir them together until well mixed.
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Coat Chicken: Dredge each piece of seasoned chicken in the bread crumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating adheres firmly to all surfaces. This gives the chicken a lovely crispy texture.
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Heat Skillet: Heat 2-3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Allow the oil to get shimmering hot before adding the chicken.
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Sear Chicken: Carefully add the coated chicken cutlets to the hot skillet. If your skillet isn’t large enough to hold all the chicken in a single layer without crowding, cook them in batches. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is beautifully golden brown and fully cooked through. This quick searing locks in juices and creates a delicious crust. (Remember to wipe out the skillet and add a little fresh oil if cooking additional batches.)
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Prepare for Baking: Once all chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set aside. Pour approximately half of your preferred pasta sauce (like Ragú® Old World Style® Traditional Sauce) onto the bottom of the skillet, spreading it evenly.
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Arrange Chicken: Gently lay the cooked chicken pieces on top of the sauce in the skillet, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
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Top and Layer: Spoon a couple of tablespoons of the remaining pasta sauce over each piece of chicken. Then, generously sprinkle about 1/4 cup of chopped baby spinach and two tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese over each cutlet. You can adjust the amounts to your liking – just spoon and sprinkle until it looks perfectly delicious!
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Broil to Perfection: Place the skillet under a preheated broiler for 2-4 minutes. Keep a close eye on it, as broiler times can vary greatly. You want the cheese to be melted and bubbly, just beginning to turn golden brown.
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Serve Immediately: Remove from the broiler and serve your delectable Skillet Chicken and Spinach Parmesan hot. Enjoy this flavorful, speedy meal!
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 17g |
Protein: 60g |
Fat: 29g |
Saturated Fat: 8g |
Cholesterol: 173mg |
Sodium: 1138mg |
Potassium: 1278mg |
Fiber: 2g |
Sugar: 5g |
Vitamin A: 2116IU |
Vitamin C: 13mg |
Calcium: 276mg |
Iron: 3mg
Tips for Success & Variations
- Chicken Prep: Using thin chicken cutlets or pounding chicken breasts to an even thickness (about 1/2 inch) is crucial for the “20-minute” promise, ensuring they cook quickly and evenly.
- Spinach Alternatives: While baby spinach is fantastic, you can also use other quick-cooking greens like chopped kale (massage with a little olive oil first) or Swiss chard.
- Cheese, Please: Feel free to experiment with other cheeses! A blend of mozzarella and provolone, or even a sprinkle of Asiago, would add a wonderful depth of flavor.
- Add More Veggies: Sauté some sliced mushrooms or bell peppers with a little garlic before adding the sauce for an extra boost of vegetables.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes added to the sauce or the chicken coating can give this dish a pleasant kick.
- Serving Suggestions: This Skillet Chicken and Spinach Parmesan pairs wonderfully with a side of al dente pasta (like spaghetti or penne), a simple green salad, or some crusty garlic bread to soak up all that delicious sauce. Steamed asparagus or roasted broccoli would also be excellent choices for a balanced meal.
The Secret to Authentic Flavor: Why We Love Ragú Sauce
Whether I’m serving up classic spaghetti and meatballs, a hearty lasagna, or delicate raviolis, my family absolutely adores the rich, authentic taste of Ragú. It’s a staple in our pantry for a reason! Ragú delivers that traditional Italian flavor American families have loved for generations, making it incredibly easy to create delicious, quick, and satisfying family favorite recipes. With a commitment to quality ingredients, like the 11 vine-ripened tomatoes in every jar of Ragú® Old World Style® Traditional Sauce, it truly is our richest, thickest recipe* ever! That deep, savory flavor and hearty texture make it the perfect foundation for our Skillet Chicken and Spinach Parmesan, ensuring every bite is bursting with robust, homemade taste, even on the busiest of evenings. It’s the kind of trusted ingredient that makes home cooking feel effortless and gourmet.
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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Ragú® Official New Tra-Dish. All opinions and text are my own.