Description
This Creamy Tuscan Chicken recipe features juicy, tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich and flavorful creamy garlic sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach. It’s a restaurant-quality, comforting meal that’s simple enough for a weeknight dinner and pairs perfectly with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained and sliced)
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides generously with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5–6 minutes on each side until they develop a golden crust and are cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Deglaze Pan: Pour in the chicken broth and simmer for 2–3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to build flavor.
- Add Cream: Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing it to slightly thicken.
- Incorporate Parmesan: Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add Veggies and Spice: Mix in the sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook until the spinach wilts and the sauce thickens further.
- Return Chicken: Place the cooked chicken breasts back into the skillet and spoon the creamy sauce over them. Simmer together for 3–5 minutes to meld the flavors and heat through.
- Serve: Serve the creamy Tuscan chicken warm with your choice of pasta, rice, or crusty bread for a delightful meal.
Notes
- For best texture and flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with a splash of chicken broth or cream.
- Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for a juicier result.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
