Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe
Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a rich and flavorful dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts simmered in a luscious sauce made with heavy cream, parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, onion, and fresh baby spinach. This comforting Italian-inspired recipe is perfect for an easy weekday dinner or a special occasion meal.
- Author: Lena
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
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
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
- Season chicken: Season both sides of each chicken breast evenly with Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to infuse them with classic Tuscan flavors.
- Sear chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until they develop a golden brown crust. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Cook onions: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and finely chopped yellow onion. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent, creating the flavor base for the sauce.
- Cook tomatoes and garlic: Add the thinly sliced sun-dried tomatoes and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about one minute until the garlic is fragrant and the tomatoes begin to release their flavor.
- Add spinach: Stir in the baby spinach and cook for another minute until it just starts to wilt, adding freshness and color to the sauce.
- Add cream and cheese: Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle the freshly grated parmesan cheese over the mixture. Stir well and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, allowing the cheese to melt and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Simmer chicken: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce. Let the chicken cook in the simmering sauce for about 5 minutes until heated through and fully cooked. Serve warm.
Notes
- For a dairy-free alternative, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and parmesan with a vegan cheese substitute.
- Be careful not to overcook the chicken during searing to keep it juicy and tender.
- Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for more flavor, or rehydrate dry-packed ones in warm water before slicing.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
Keywords: Creamy Tuscan Chicken, Italian chicken recipe, creamy chicken dish, sun-dried tomato chicken, spinach chicken, creamy parmesan chicken