Asiago cheese sauce over herb chicken with spinach is one of those comfort foods! It is rich in taste and I think you’ll be surprised at the health benefits listed at the end of the recipe.
One of the great things about this dish is that you use just one skillet and one baking dish to prepare it – so cleanup is minimal.
You cook the chicken in the skillet, then the sauce, and lasty the spinach. After that, they all go into one baking dish. And to make the preparation even easier, I have separated the ingredients and instructions by 3 stages.
After the first time I made this it was simple to repeat it another week.
Hint for making it even easier:
I measure the ingredients ahead of time and just place the filled measuring cups and spoons on a cutting board, all ready to add one after the other. This makes cooking so much more enjoyable! After a while you begin to feel like one of the cooks you watch on TV!
Get Creative:
One of the things I really like about this dish is that you can get creative. If you don’t like spinach, just leave it off. Or you can include potatoes. Just cut them into small pieces and roast them in the same pan with the chicken. And if you want a different cheese, like cheddar or parmesan, go ahead! Have fun and let me know how you switch it up by leaving a comment below.
And thank you for sharing it!
- 3 large chicken thighs bone in, skin on
- 1/2 tsp italian seasoning (I use a scant 1/2 tsp)
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp dried basil
- 1 Tbsp flour
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup milk or half and half if you prefer
- 1/2 cup asiago cheese shredded (can substitute parmesan)
- Season chicken with italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
- Melt coconut oil in a skillet.
- Pan sear chicken in the skillet, skin side down first, about 3 minutes. Turn and sear 3 more minutes, or until golden brown.
- Transfer chicken to a small baking dish and let rest until sauce is done.
- Drain excess grease from the skillet you used for searing the chicken. Wipe clean with a paper towel.
- Melt butter for cream sauce in the same skillet.
- Add garlic, thyme and basil. Cook about 1 minute.
- Add flour and whisk until thickened like a paste.
- Add vegetable broth and whisk until all is incorporated and smooth.
- Add milk (or half and half if you prefer) and whisk until thick. If it's too thick, add a little more broth.
- Whisk in cheese.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Drizzle sauce over chicken. (Reserve about 1/4 cup in a dish.)
- Bake chicken about 30 minutes or until it reaches 165 degrees.
- While chicken is baking, wipe skillet clean with a paper towel.
- Add 2 Tbsp coconut oil to the skillet.
- Add 1 clove of garlic and cook about 30 seconds.
- Add spinach and cook until almost wilted.
- When chicken is done, top with about 1/4 of the spinach and heat about 2 more minutes.
- Divide remaining spinach on individual plates.
- When you remove the chicken, place it on top of the spinach and garnish with fresh basil (optional).
- (If you prefer, you can plate the spinach and chicken onto a single serving platter and let everyone serve themselves.)
God-given health benefits I enjoy from these scrumptious ingredients:
Butter: may act as an anti-inflammatory, reduced risk of heart disease, improve immune system, aid brain development, and reduce blood pressure.
Chicken with Bone In: contains protein for muscle growth, boosts your mood, may prevent bone loss, promote healthy teeth, and increase your energy level. With the bone in chicken may also help with join health and boost the immune system.
Coconut Oil: may aid brain health, increase good cholesterol for heart health, lubricate joints, and burns body fat.
Garlic: detoxes the body and may boost immune function, lower blood pressure, and fight colds and flu.
Italian seasoning: may act as an antibacterial with antioxidants, contribute to healthy digestion, reduce stress, detox cells.
Spinach: super antioxidant which may aid in cancer prevention, blood glucose control, asthma prevention, regulate blood pressure, prevent anemia, and aid in eye health.
Thyme: may aid in relieving chest congestion, lowering blood pressure, boost immunity and mood.
Basil: may reduce stress, detox cells, and act as an antibacterial.
Vegetable Stock: varies depending on how it's made, but it contains whatever health nutrients are contained in the veggies and herbs used to make it. Read the label and reference the vegetables listed. May help boost the immune system to fight disease.
Asiago cheese (used in moderation): an aged cheese that is lower in lactose than most cheeses, contains calcium and protein and may strengthen your immune system, but should be used in moderation.
Basil: may reduce stress, detox cells, and act as an antibacterial.
Leave a Reply