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Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe Easy Homemade Sun-Dried Tomato Spinach Meal

creamy tuscan chicken - featured image

A quick and easy creamy Tuscan chicken dish featuring tender chicken breasts in a rich sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach. Perfect for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded slightly for even cooking
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup packed, chopped sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed recommended)
  • 2 cups loosely packed fresh spinach, washed and roughly chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 50g)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (120 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (blend of basil, oregano, thyme)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon butter (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides liberally with salt, pepper, and half of the dried Italian herbs. If desired, gently pound to an even thickness about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm). (10 minutes)
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place chicken breasts in the pan and cook 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F or 74°C). Remove chicken and set aside. (10 minutes)
  3. Lower heat to medium. Add butter if using, then sauté minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes until garlic is fragrant and tomatoes soften, about 1-2 minutes. Avoid burning the garlic. (2-3 minutes)
  4. Pour in chicken broth (or white wine) to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Let simmer for 2 minutes. (2-3 minutes)
  5. Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in heavy cream, then add Parmesan cheese and remaining Italian herbs. Stir continuously until sauce thickens slightly and cheese melts, about 3-4 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. (4-5 minutes)
  6. Add chopped spinach in batches, stirring until wilted before adding more. This takes about 2 minutes. (2-3 minutes)
  7. Return the seared chicken to the sauce. Spoon sauce over the top, cover, and simmer on low heat for 3-5 minutes to meld flavors. (5 minutes)
  8. Serve hot with extra sauce and vegetables over mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice.

Notes

If sauce is too thick, loosen with a splash of broth or water. If too thin, simmer uncovered to reduce. Use room temperature ingredients to prevent curdling. Sear chicken well for a golden crust. Deglaze pan to add depth. Wilt spinach gently to keep vibrant. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Chicken thighs can be used with adjusted cooking time.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy Tuscan chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, easy dinner, quick chicken recipe, creamy chicken, Italian chicken recipe, weeknight meal