Description
Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a flavorful and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich, creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, fresh spinach, and Italian seasoning. This easy-to-make skillet recipe delivers a perfect balance of savory and creamy textures, ideal for a hearty yet elegant weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 4 chicken breasts
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy and Liquids
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
Oils and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: Warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Season the chicken: Pat dry 4 chicken breasts and season both sides generously with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor.
- Cook the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Set aside the chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the skillet and set them aside on a plate to rest while you prepare the sauce.
- Sauté the garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced 3 cloves of garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not burned.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes: Add 1 cup of sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Simmer with chicken broth: Pour in 1 cup of chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to reduce slightly.
- Add cream and seasoning: Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, blending the sauce until smooth and creamy.
- Wilt the spinach: Add 2 cups of fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, stirring occasionally to combine it with the sauce.
- Return chicken to skillet: Place the chicken breasts back into the skillet and coat them well with the creamy sauce.
- Simmer to finish: Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for another 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the dish to heat through completely before serving.
Notes
- For best results, use chicken breasts of uniform thickness or pound them to even thickness to ensure even cooking.
- Sun-dried tomatoes add a tangy and sweet depth; you can use oil-packed or dry-packed as per your preference.
- You can substitute fresh spinach with kale or Swiss chard for variation.
- This dish pairs well with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
- Leftovers keep well when refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop.
