Description
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, onions, and baby spinach. This classic Italian-inspired recipe is easy to prepare on the stovetop and perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
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
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Sauce
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream (or dairy-free alternative with nutritional yeast)
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prep the chicken: Season both sides of each chicken breast evenly with Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to infuse flavor before cooking.
- Sear the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust. Remove the chicken breasts from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Cook the onions: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the finely chopped yellow onion. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion softens and turns translucent.
- Add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes: Stir in the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, cooking for another minute until fragrant, which enhances the sauce flavor.
- Add spinach: Add the baby spinach and sauté for an additional minute until it just begins to wilt, maintaining its vibrant color and nutrients.
- Prepare the creamy sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese into the skillet. Stir well to combine all ingredients and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer with chicken: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce. Simmer for about 5 minutes until the chicken is fully heated through and the sauce thickens slightly.
Notes
- For the best sun-dried tomatoes, consider using the Alessi brand for superior flavor and texture.
- Dairy-free option: replace heavy cream with a plant-based cream and substitute parmesan with 1 to 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
- If using extra-large or thick chicken breasts, sear them longer or pound the chicken evenly flat or butterfly the breasts to ensure thorough and even cooking.
- For serving, the recipe pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- The black-rimmed dinner plates seen with this dish are no longer available but similar styles are suggested for a rustic presentation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
