Discover the perfect solution for your busy weeknight dinners with our one pot chicken spanakopita skillet pie recipe. This easy and family-friendly recipe combines the flavors of a traditional spanakopita with the heartiness of a chicken pot pie, all cooked in a single skillet. Say goodbye to multiple pots and pans and hello to a savory pie that the whole family will love.
Preparing a delicious meal doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With our one pot chicken spanakopita skillet pie recipe, you can enjoy a Greek-inspired dish without the hassle. It’s the perfect quick dinner idea for those busy weeknights, combining the rich flavors of chicken, spinach, and feta cheese in one delicious savory pie.
Whether you’re a fan of skillet chicken recipes or looking for a new spin on a classic spinach and feta pie, this recipe is sure to impress. Plus, it’s a one pot meal, making clean-up a breeze. So why wait? Let’s dive into the details of this mouthwatering recipe and get ready to enjoy a satisfying and easy weeknight dinner.
The Inspiration Behind the Recipe
The inspiration for this recipe comes from my childhood memories of enjoying spanakopita. I wanted to recreate that delicious dish and make it more accessible for busy weeknights. So, I came up with a few easy tweaks to transform the traditional spanakopita into a creamy chicken spanakopita skillet.
As a child, I loved the combination of spinach, feta cheese, and phyllo dough in spanakopita. It was a comforting and flavorful dish that always brought me joy. However, making traditional spanakopita can be time-consuming with multiple layers of phyllo dough and individual triangles to assemble.
To simplify the process and save time, I decided to cook everything in a single cast iron skillet. By combining the flavors of spanakopita with the convenience of a skillet meal, I created a recipe that retains the essence of the classic dish but with a twist.
The key to achieving the creamy texture and delicious taste in this chicken spanakopita skillet is the combination of tender chicken, garlicky spinach, and a rich sauce made with feta cheese. The creamy sauce coats the chicken and spinach, infusing every bite with incredible flavor.
By taking inspiration from my childhood memories of spanakopita and introducing some easy tweaks, I’ve created a recipe that captures the essence of the traditional dish while being quick and convenient for everyday cooking. The result is a creamy, garlicky chicken spanakopita skillet that will transport you back to those nostalgic flavors.
Take a look at the image below to see how inviting and delicious this chicken spanakopita skillet turns out:
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In the next section, we’ll dive into the ingredients and preparation needed to make this mouthwatering dish. Get ready to gather some fresh baby spinach, boneless chicken, and other essential ingredients.
Ingredients and Preparation
To make this one pot chicken spanakopita skillet pie, you’ll need a variety of fresh ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Fresh baby spinach: The star of this dish, fresh baby spinach adds a vibrant and nutritious element to the recipe.
- Boneless chicken: Choose between boneless chicken breasts or thighs for a tender and flavorful protein base.
- Garlic-spiked roux: The garlic-spiked roux is the foundation of the creamy sauce. It adds depth of flavor and richness to the dish.
- Feta cheese: This tangy and savory cheese pairs perfectly with the spinach and chicken, adding a deliciously salty element to the recipe.
- Scallions and dill: These fresh herbs provide a burst of freshness and aromatic flavor to the dish.
- Phyllo dough: The phyllo dough is used to create a scrunchy and golden topping for the skillet pie.
Start by wilting the fresh baby spinach. Once wilted, press out any excess water to prevent the dish from becoming soggy. Next, pan-fry the boneless chicken in butter until it develops a golden exterior. This step adds a beautiful caramelization and flavor to the meat.
In a separate pan, prepare the garlic-spiked roux by melting butter and adding flour. Cook the roux until it turns golden and fragrant. Gradually add chicken stock and half-and-half to create a creamy sauce. The combination of the roux and the liquid will provide a luscious texture to the dish.
Once the sauce has thickened, mix in crumbled feta cheese, chopped scallions, and fresh dill. These ingredients elevate the flavors and add a delightful herbal note to the chicken spanakopita skillet pie.
Finally, assemble the dish in a cast iron skillet. Layer the wilted spinach and pan-fried chicken in the skillet, and pour the creamy feta-garlic sauce over it. Finish off the skillet pie by covering it with crinkled phyllo dough sheets. The phyllo dough will become golden and crisp as it bakes in the oven, creating a satisfying textural contrast to the creamy filling.
Now, you’re ready to bake this mouthwatering one pot chicken spanakopita skillet pie to perfection!
Cooking the Dish
To bring together this delightful one pot chicken spanakopita skillet pie, we’ll guide you through simple steps that infuse flavors and textures. Let’s get started!
First, grab your trusty cast iron skillet and start wilting the fresh spinach. This process involves cooking the spinach until it’s tender and releasing its vibrant flavors into the dish. Once wilted, remember to press out any excess water from the spinach to prevent unwanted sogginess in the final result.
Next, it’s time to work on the chicken. In the same cast iron skillet, brown the boneless chicken in sizzling butter. This cooking technique not only locks in moisture but also creates a beautiful golden exterior that adds a visually appealing touch to the dish.
Now, let’s create the base of our creamy sauce. Prepare a garlic-spiked roux by combining garlic, butter, and flour in the skillet. This concoction will infuse the dish with a rich, garlicky flavor that will leave your taste buds craving more.
To achieve the desired creaminess, introduce a mixture of cream and chicken stock to the skillet. Stir gently to ensure all the ingredients blend harmoniously, forming a luscious feta-garlic sauce that coats every mouthful of chicken and spinach.
At this point, it’s time to add the finishing touches to elevate the flavors even further. Mix in the crumbled feta, chopped scallions, and fragrant dill. These ingredients will bring a delightful tang and herbaceous notes to the dish, complementing the chicken and spinach beautifully.
Now, return the chicken and spinach to the skillet, carefully mixing everything together. The combination of the wilted spinach, savory chicken, and creamy feta-garlic sauce will create a tantalizing medley of flavors in every bite.
Finally, the pièce de résistance: the crinkled phyllo dough topping. Lay the sheets of phyllo dough over the skillet, gently scrunching them to create a visually stunning, crinkled texture. This not only adds a delightful crunch but also provides a captivating aesthetic to the finished dish.
Don’t forget the finishing touch!
Before unveiling your masterpiece, give it a final touch by baking it to perfection. The oven will work its magic, transforming the crinkled phyllo dough topping into a golden and crisp layer that crowns the dish with irresistible crunchiness.
Once out of the oven, garnish the skillet pie with fresh dill, adding an extra pop of herbaceousness that will elevate both the presentation and flavors.
Your one pot chicken spanakopita skillet pie is now ready to be served and savored. Its enticing aroma and mouthwatering flavors make it a proud centerpiece for any dinner table. Whether you enjoy it on its own or pair it with a refreshing side salad or warm bread, this dish promises to be a satisfying and satisfyingly simple meal that delights and satiates.
Baking and Serving
Once the dish is assembled, it is baked until the phyllo dough is golden and crisp aroma of the baking pie fills the kitchen, tantalizing our taste buds. We eagerly wait for that perfect moment when the crust turns a beautiful shade of gold, indicating that it’s ready to be enjoyed.
Remove the skillet pie from the oven, and you’ll be greeted with a sight that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate. The golden and crisp phyllo adds both texture and visual appeal to the dish.
Before serving, take a moment to garnish the pie with fresh dill. Sprinkle it delicately over the top, letting the vibrant green leaves contrast beautifully with the golden crust. This final touch not only adds a pop of color but also enhances the overall flavor profile.
This one pot chicken spanakopita skillet pie is versatile and can be served in various ways. Enjoy it warm and savor each mouthful of the creamy chicken and spinach filling combined with the golden and crisp phyllo. It’s a satisfying meal on its own, perfect for a cozy dinner at home.
For a more complete dining experience, consider pairing this skillet pie with a side salad. The freshness of the greens and the lightness of the dressing provide a refreshing contrast to the savory flavors of the dish. Additionally, opting for a crusty bread on the side creates a delightful textural interplay.
Tips and Variations
To prevent sogginess in the one pot chicken spanakopita skillet pie, it’s important to squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the spinach. This will ensure that the dish maintains its desired texture. Another tip to elevate the flavor and texture of the pie is to crumble your own feta cheese instead of using pre-crumbled feta. This will result in a richer, creamier filling.
If you’re unable to find puff pastry, don’t worry! You can easily make your own at home. Homemade puff pastry can be just as delicious and it allows you to adjust the thickness and taste according to your preference. Additionally, don’t feel restricted to a specific number of pies. The recipe can be easily adjusted based on the size of your ramekins, allowing for more or fewer individual servings.
For those looking for a healthier option, consider removing the bottom layer of puff pastry. This will reduce the overall calorie and fat content of the dish. Alternatively, you can swap out frozen spinach for fresh spinach. Fresh spinach not only adds a vibrant color to the pie, but it also offers a higher nutritional value.