Description
Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a rich and flavorful dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts smothered in a luscious sauce made with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach. This easy-to-make recipe delivers a perfect balance of savory and creamy flavors, ideal for a comforting yet quick 30-minute dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 4 chicken breasts (~1.3 lb / 600 g)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Sauce:
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Sprinkle the chicken breasts evenly with paprika, salt, and pepper to enhance their flavor before cooking.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 4–5 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest.
- Sauté Garlic: Using the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, ensuring not to burn it to maintain a fresh garlic flavor.
- Add Cream Base: Pour in the heavy cream, chicken broth, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously as the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly, creating a rich creamy base for the dish.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and baby spinach. Let the mixture simmer gently until the spinach wilts and the flavors meld together.
- Combine & Cook: Return the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet, nestling them in the sauce. Spoon sauce over the chicken and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes so the chicken absorbs the flavorful sauce.
- Serve: Serve the creamy Tuscan chicken hot, paired with your choice of pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables. Optionally, sprinkle with red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
Notes
- Use bone-in chicken breasts if preferred, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Sun-dried tomatoes can be substituted with fresh cherry tomatoes for a lighter version.
- For a lower-fat option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk.
- To make it gluten-free, ensure chicken broth is gluten-free labeled.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.
