Delicious and flavorful, Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a rich, creamy sauce infused with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a family dinner or when you want to impress guests, this easy-to-follow recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes.
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
HOW TO MAKE CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKEN:
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Prepare Chicken:
Begin by seasoning the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. This helps to enhance the flavor of the chicken and ensures a well-seasoned base for the dish.
2. Cook Chicken:
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, place the seasoned chicken breasts into the skillet. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and golden brown. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C). Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
3. Make the Creamy Sauce:
In the same skillet (do not wipe it out, as the chicken drippings will add flavor to the sauce), reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Next, pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer, and let it cook for 3 minutes. This helps the sauce to develop rich flavors.
4. Add Spinach:
Stir the fresh spinach into the creamy sauce. Cook for about 2 minutes, or until the spinach wilts and is fully incorporated into the sauce. The spinach adds a pop of color and extra nutrients to the dish.
5. Thicken the Sauce with Parmesan:
Once the spinach has wilted, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Allow the sauce to cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring frequently. The cheese will help thicken the sauce and give it a luxurious texture. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can thin it out with a bit more chicken broth or water.
6. Combine Chicken with Sauce:
Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, placing them in the creamy sauce. Spoon the sauce over the chicken to coat it thoroughly. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 3 to 4 more minutes to heat through and absorb the flavors of the sauce.
7. Serve:
Once the chicken is heated through, your Creamy Tuscan Chicken is ready to serve. Pair it with your favorite side dishes like pasta, mashed potatoes, or a crusty loaf of bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
HELPFUL TIPS:
- Seasoning: Make sure to generously season your chicken with salt and pepper for maximum flavor.
- Cooking the Chicken: Don’t rush the process. Let the chicken cook fully and develop a golden-brown crust for added texture.
- Sauce Consistency: If your sauce gets too thick, simply add a splash of chicken broth to reach your desired consistency.
- Spinach Substitute: If you don’t have fresh spinach, you can substitute it with frozen spinach. Just be sure to thaw and drain it before adding it to the sauce.
DETAILS:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten-Free
NOTES:
- This dish is naturally gluten-free as written, but always check ingredient labels (especially for broth) to ensure they meet dietary needs.
- For a lower-fat version, you can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or a mixture of Greek yogurt and milk.
- For extra flavor, try adding fresh herbs like parsley or thyme to garnish before serving.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, chicken thighs will work well in this recipe. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time as thighs may take a bit longer to cook through.
What can I substitute for sun-dried tomatoes?
If you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes, you can use fresh cherry tomatoes or roasted red peppers for a similar flavor.
Can I make this dish dairy-free?
To make this recipe dairy-free, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and a dairy-free Parmesan alternative.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Description
This Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a rich, creamy sauce infused with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
1. Prepare Chicken:
Begin by seasoning the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. This helps to enhance the flavor of the chicken and ensures a well-seasoned base for the dish.
2. Cook Chicken:
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, place the seasoned chicken breasts into the skillet. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and golden brown. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C). Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
3. Make the Creamy Sauce:
In the same skillet (do not wipe it out, as the chicken drippings will add flavor to the sauce), reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Next, pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer, and let it cook for 3 minutes. This helps the sauce to develop rich flavors.
4. Add Spinach:
Stir the fresh spinach into the creamy sauce. Cook for about 2 minutes, or until the spinach wilts and is fully incorporated into the sauce. The spinach adds a pop of color and extra nutrients to the dish.
5. Thicken the Sauce with Parmesan:
Once the spinach has wilted, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Allow the sauce to cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring frequently. The cheese will help thicken the sauce and give it a luxurious texture. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can thin it out with a bit more chicken broth or water.
6. Combine Chicken with Sauce:
Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, placing them in the creamy sauce. Spoon the sauce over the chicken to coat it thoroughly. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 3 to 4 more minutes to heat through and absorb the flavors of the sauce.
7. Serve:
Once the chicken is heated through, your Creamy Tuscan Chicken is ready to serve. Pair it with your favorite side dishes like pasta, mashed potatoes, or a crusty loaf of bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- This dish is naturally gluten-free as written, but always check ingredient labels (especially for broth) to ensure they meet dietary needs.
- For a lower-fat version, you can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or a mixture of Greek yogurt and milk.
- For extra flavor, try adding fresh herbs like parsley or thyme to garnish before serving.
STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS:
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the chicken and sauce in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When reheating, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in a skillet over low heat until warmed through.
- Reheating: To reheat, gently warm in a skillet over medium heat. You may need to add a splash of chicken broth or cream to maintain the sauce’s consistency.