Description
Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a rich and flavorful dish featuring seared boneless skinless chicken breasts cooked in a luscious creamy sauce with Italian seasoning, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, spinach, and parmesan cheese. This recipe delivers a comforting Italian-inspired meal that’s perfect for a family dinner or special occasion, combining bold flavors with a smooth, creamy texture.
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, divided
Sauce & Vegetables
- 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 (dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream can be used)
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (use 1 to 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast for dairy-free)
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Season both sides of each chicken breast with Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper to ensure the meat is well-flavored 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 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 becomes translucent.
- Add Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Stir in the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, cooking for about 1 minute until fragrant and well combined with the onions.
- Sauté Spinach: Add the baby spinach to the skillet and sauté for an additional minute until the spinach just begins to wilt.
- Create the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle the freshly grated parmesan cheese into the skillet. Stir the ingredients together and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to thicken the sauce.
- Finish Cooking the Chicken: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the chicken is heated through and fully cooked.
Notes
- Use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan for a dairy-free version, ideally 1 to 2 tablespoons.
- If your chicken breasts are extra large or thick, consider pounding them flat or butterflying them for even cooking, or sear them longer.
- Choose a good quality brand of sun-dried tomatoes, such as Alessi, for the best flavor.
- This dish pairs beautifully with pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
- For plating, consider using black-rimmed dinner plates similar to those recommended in the original recipe for an elegant presentation.
