Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a quick and flavorful dinner featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich and creamy sauce made with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach. Ready in under 30 minutes and cooked in one pan, this comforting and elegant dish is perfect for busy weeknights or a special meal for family and guests.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein & Main Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups baby spinach leaves
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Sear the chicken for about 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside to rest.
- Sauté Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed. Add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and the tomatoes soften, releasing their flavors.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Lower heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine. Add freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Add Spinach and Finish: Stir in fresh baby spinach leaves, allowing them to wilt gently into the sauce. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning some sauce over the top. Simmer everything together for 2-3 minutes so flavors meld beautifully before serving.
Notes
- Use room-temperature chicken for more even cooking and juiciness.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when searing to achieve a perfect crust; cook in batches if necessary.
- Always use fresh garlic cloves for maximum flavor.
- Freshly grate Parmesan cheese instead of using pre-grated to avoid anti-caking agents that affect sauce texture.
- Simmer the sauce gently on low heat to prevent cream from separating.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil for color and brightness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze chicken and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.
- Reheat gently on low heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally, or microwave in short bursts stirring between.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Creamy Tuscan Chicken, Tuscan chicken recipe, quick chicken dinner, creamy chicken with spinach, sun-dried tomato chicken, one-pan chicken dinner