Description
Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomatoes is a comforting and flavorful one-skillet dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a rich garlic cream sauce, fresh spinach, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes. Perfect for a quick dinner or special occasion, this recipe offers an easy-to-make, elegant meal that captures vibrant Tuscan flavors in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme blend)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cooking Fats and Oils
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (preferably oil-packed)
- 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare and Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season generously on both sides with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs to ensure a flavorful base.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest.
- Sauté Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Lower the heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute to release their flavor.
- Build the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and add grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly into a smooth, velvety consistency.
- Add Spinach and Combine: Toss in fresh spinach leaves and cook until just wilted, about 2 minutes. Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon the creamy sauce over them. Let everything meld together on low heat for 1-2 minutes.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once warmed through and combined, serve the Creamy Tuscan Chicken immediately. Garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley if desired, and pair it with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook chicken in batches if needed to ensure a golden crust instead of steaming.
- Use room temperature chicken for more even cooking and to prevent drying out during searing.
- Opt for oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for richer flavor and better texture.
- Grate Parmesan cheese fresh for a smoother, melt-in-the-sauce consistency.
- Simmer the sauce gently to avoid cream separating or curdling—do not boil.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian / Tuscan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Creamy Tuscan Chicken, Spinach, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Easy Dinner, One-Skillet, Italian, Gluten-Free, Comfort Food