Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Indulge in a restaurant-quality meal at home with this Creamy Tuscan Chicken recipe. It features perfectly seared chicken breasts simmered in a rich, velvety sauce infused with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and baby spinach.

This dish comes together quickly, so it’s a perfect choice for weeknight dinners, but it’s impressive enough for special occasions. Get ready for a simple yet incredibly flavorful one-pan dinner.

Ingredients & What You’ll Need

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (4, 6 oz each): The main protein, seasoned and seared to perfection.
• Italian Seasoning (1 teaspoon): A classic blend of herbs like oregano, thyme, basil, and rosemary.
• Kosher Salt (1 teaspoon) & Black Pepper (½ teaspoon): Use these to properly season the chicken before searing.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil (3 tablespoons): Used for searing the chicken and sautéing the vegetables.
• Yellow Onion (¼ cup, finely chopped): Adds a foundational savory flavor to the sauce.
• Garlic Cloves (4, minced): Essential for a robust and aromatic sauce.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes (½ cup, thinly sliced): They provide a concentrated, sweet, and tangy flavor.
• Baby Spinach (2 cups): Fresh spinach that wilts beautifully into the creamy sauce.
• Heavy Cream (1 ½ cups): This creates the rich, decadent base of the Tuscan sauce.
• Freshly Grated Parmesan (¼ cup): Adds a salty, nutty flavor that deepens the sauce’s richness.

How to Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken

This one-pan recipe makes it easy to create a restaurant-quality meal with minimal fuss.

Season and Sear the Chicken

First, season both sides of each chicken breast generously with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Next, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts to the pan and sear them for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. The goal is to get a nice golden-brown crust. Once they’re seared, remove the chicken to a plate and set it aside.

Build the Creamy Sauce

In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and the finely chopped onion. Sauté for about 2 to 3 minutes until the onion softens. After that, stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and minced garlic, cooking for another minute until they become fragrant. Then, add the baby spinach and sauté for just a minute more, allowing it to start wilting. Finally, pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, stirring everything together. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.

Finish the Dish

Once the sauce is simmering, carefully place the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet. Let the chicken cook in the sauce for about 5 minutes, ensuring it heats through completely. The rich, creamy sauce will coat the chicken and the flavors will meld together beautifully.

Tips for the Perfect Creamy Tuscan Chicken

• Adjusting for Chicken Thickness: If you use extra-thick chicken breasts, you might need to sear them a bit longer. For a faster and more even cook time, you can also pound them to a uniform thickness or butterfly each breast.
• Dairy-Free Options: For a dairy-free version, use a plant-based cream alternative like full-fat coconut milk. You can also replace the Parmesan with 1 to 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
• Choosing Sun-Dried Tomatoes: When selecting sun-dried tomatoes, the jarred ones packed in oil are perfect for this recipe because they are soft and easy to slice.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a truly satisfying meal that proves simple can be spectacular. The combination of rich, savory flavors and tender chicken makes this dish a perfect go-to for any night of the week. With just one pan and minimal effort, you can prepare a meal that’s both delicious and impressive.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

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Make this Creamy Tuscan Chicken for a quick, delicious, and elegant one-pan dinner featuring tender chicken in a rich, flavorful sauce.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 (6-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup finely chopped yellow onion
• ½ cup thinly sliced sun-dried tomatoes
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan

Instructions

1. Season Chicken: Season chicken breasts on both sides with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Sear Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet. Sear chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
3. Sauté Veggies: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then sauté the onion for 2-3 minutes. Add sun-dried tomatoes and garlic, cooking for another minute. Stir in spinach and sauté until it begins to wilt.
4. Make Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and Parmesan. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
5. Finish Dish: Return the seared chicken to the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the chicken is heated through. Serve immediately.

Notes

Cook Time: For thicker chicken breasts, you may need to sear for a longer time or flatten them to ensure they cook through.

Dairy-Free: You can substitute heavy cream with a plant-based alternative and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

per serving
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 465Total Fat: 32gCholesterol: 130mgSodium: 800mgCarbohydrates: 5gNet Carbohydrates: 3gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 79g