Description
Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a rich and flavorful dish featuring seared Italian-seasoned chicken breasts simmered in a luscious sauce of heavy cream, parmesan, sautéed garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, onions, and fresh spinach. Quick and easy to prepare, this dinner favorite combines hearty protein with vibrant Mediterranean flavors for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 4 (6-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or a mix of oregano, thyme, basil, and rosemary)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup finely chopped yellow onion
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prep the chicken: Season both sides of each boneless skinless chicken breast evenly with the Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring full coverage for balanced flavor.
- Sear the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and sear for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place on a plate; set aside temporarily.
- Cook the onions: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the finely chopped yellow onion. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent, releasing its sweetness.
- Add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes: Stir in the minced garlic cloves and sliced sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for an additional minute or until the garlic becomes fragrant and the tomatoes begin to soften.
- Add spinach: Toss in the baby spinach and sauté for about one minute or until just starting to wilt, incorporating vibrant green color and nutrition into the sauce.
- Add cream and parmesan: Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle the freshly grated parmesan cheese. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients, then bring the mixture to a simmer to thicken slightly.
- Simmer the chicken: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce. Continue cooking on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through and the flavors meld beautifully.
Notes
- This recipe pairs wonderfully with pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
- For a dairy-free alternative, substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use a dairy-free parmesan substitute or nutritional yeast.
- Adjust the seasoning at the end of cooking with additional salt or pepper to taste.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently to preserve the creamy texture.
- For a spicier twist, add crushed red pepper flakes along with the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 595 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 896 mg
- Fat: 49 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 179 mg
