Creamy Tuscan chicken is a restaurant-style dish that combines juicy chicken breasts with a garlicky, creamy sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach. It can be served with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or butter)
Creamy Tuscan Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed or rehydrated)
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
- Optional: ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes for heat
Instructions
1. Prepare the chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
2. Cook the chicken
Heat olive oil (or butter) in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts. Cook for 5–7 minutes on each side, depending on thickness, until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. Cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
3. Make the creamy sauce
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Add the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir well to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the pan for extra flavor. Let the mixture simmer gently for 3–5 minutes.
4. Add cheese and seasoning
Stir in the Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Simmer for another 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
5. Add sun-dried tomatoes and spinach
Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce and stir. Then add the fresh spinach, stirring until wilted. The sauce should be creamy, rich, and slightly thickened.
6. Combine chicken and sauce
Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and simmer for 2–3 minutes to heat through and allow the flavors to meld.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve over cooked pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice.
- Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs like basil or parsley.
- Pair with a side of garlic bread or roasted vegetables.
Storage and Reheating
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave. Add a splash of milk or cream if the sauce has thickened too much.
Tips for Best Results
- Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Use fresh garlic and freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer a little longer before adding the spinach.
- Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes add more richness, but rehydrated dried tomatoes work well too
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