Description
Creamy Tuscan Chicken features tender seared chicken breasts simmered in a rich and luscious sauce made with heavy cream, parmesan, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh baby spinach. This Italian-inspired dish is perfect for a comforting dinner and combines bold, savory flavors with a creamy texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 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
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Sauce
- 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 chicken breast with Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to ensure the chicken is well-flavored.
- Sear the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate.
- 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.
- Add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes: Stir in the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes into the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add spinach: Toss in the baby spinach and sauté for 1 more minute until it just begins to wilt, incorporating freshness and color to the sauce.
- Add cream and parmesan: Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to thicken the sauce and melt the cheese.
- Simmer with chicken: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce. Cook for approximately 5 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through and fully cooked, allowing the flavors to meld.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, pasta, or crusty bread to enjoy the delicious creamy sauce.
- Ensure the chicken breasts are patted dry before seasoning to get the best sear.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil yield the best flavor and texture for this recipe.
- This dish reheats well and can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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
