Balsamic Chicken with Pumpkin & Spinach — A Cosy Solo Roast That Feels Fancy

Let’s be honest — roasting a whole chicken for one is a bit much. But roasting one chicken breast with a few tasty extras? Now we’re talking. This Balsamic Chicken with Pumpkin & Spinach is a warm, hearty dinner made for cool nights and quiet evenings when you want something healthy, delicious, and just a little bit elegant… without spending your life in the kitchen.

It’s perfect for solo cooks who want a satisfying meal without reheating mystery leftovers for days. No blender. No drama. Just real food, cooked simply — Plan4One-style.

🍽 Why This Recipe Works for One

At Plan4One.com, we believe solo meals should feel like a treat, not a chore. This dish:

✅ Uses just one chicken breast — no family packs here (pick one up from the Deli rather than grabbing a pack from the froze meat aisle)
✅ Pairs beautifully with seasonal veg (hello, roasted pumpkin!)
✅ Is light, healthy, and full of warm, balanced flavours
✅ Requires minimal effort and one roasting dish
✅ Feels like something you’d get at a café — but cheaper, and in trackies

🧄 Balsamic Chicken with Pumpkin & Spinach (Single-Serve)

Prep + Cook Time: 40 minutes
Serves: 1
Effort Level: Pretty chill (you’ll mostly be waiting on the oven)

🛒 Ingredients

1 chicken breast (approx. 150–180g)
½ cup diced pumpkin (Kent or butternut both work)
A small handful of baby spinach
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste
Optional: pinch of garlic powder or thyme

👩‍🍳 How to Make It

1. Preheat & Prep

Preheat your oven to 200°C (fan forced) or 220°C (conventional).
Line a small baking tray or oven-safe dish with baking paper or foil for easier cleanup.

2. Roast the Pumpkin

Toss your ½ cup diced pumpkin with ½ tsp olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Spread it in a single layer in your tray and roast for 15 minutes.

💡 Plan4One Tip: Cut your pumpkin into small-ish chunks so they roast faster and caramelise beautifully.

3. Add the Chicken

While the pumpkin gets a head start, season your chicken breast with salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar. Add a little garlic powder or thyme if you’re in the mood.
After 15 minutes, push the pumpkin to the side and nestle the chicken into the tray.
Return everything to the oven and roast for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temp should hit 75°C).

4. Add the Spinach

In the final 2–3 minutes of cooking, toss a handful of baby spinach into the tray and let it wilt in the residual heat.
Remove everything from the oven, let the chicken rest for a minute or two, then slice and serve.

🥄 Serving Suggestions

Plate it all up with the roasted pumpkin and wilted spinach underneath the juicy sliced balsamic chicken. Drizzle any pan juices over the top and bask in your own brilliance.

Want to get a bit fancy?

Add a sprinkle of feta or goat’s cheese
Serve with a small portion of cooked quinoa or brown rice
Finish with a drizzle of extra balsamic glaze for sweetness

💚 Why This Meal Loves You Back

This one-pan dinner gives you:

Lean protein from the chicken breast
Complex carbs & beta-carotene from pumpkin (great for skin & immunity)
Iron & folate from baby spinach
Balsamic vinegar for tangy flavour without heavy sauces

Basically, it’s a little health hug — with roasted edges.

🧊 What About Leftovers?

This is a true single-serve dinner, but if you’ve bought a twin-pack of chicken breasts or chopped more pumpkin than needed (relatable), here’s what to do:

Store extra roasted chicken in the fridge for up to 3 days
Use leftovers in a wrap, salad, or even a toastie tomorrow

🧽 Minimal Mess, Maximum Cosiness

One tray. One knife. Maybe a fork if you’re civilised. This dinner won’t leave your sink looking like a crime scene, which is always a bonus.

🎯 Final Thoughts

This Balsamic Chicken with Pumpkin & Spinach is the kind of solo dinner that feels thoughtful, even if you’re just winging it. It’s proof that a healthy roast doesn’t have to mean Sunday lunch for ten — it can be Tuesday night for one, with your favourite playlist and no dishes stacked to the ceiling.

💌 Join the Solo Dinner Revolution

If this recipe hit the spot, share it with a mate who’s sick of toast-for-dinner. Or better yet, subscribe to Plan4One.com for daily solo-friendly recipes that don’t waste your time, money, or fridge space.

Cooking for one? You’re not alone.