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Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Creamy Tuscan Chicken - featured image

This Creamy Tuscan Chicken recipe features juicy chicken breasts simmered in a rich, garlicky cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and parmesan. It’s a quick, comforting dinner perfect for family gatherings or cozy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or a blend of dried basil, oregano, thyme)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 34 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (low-sodium)
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced (packed in oil, drained)
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil (optional)
  • Extra parmesan, freshly grated (for garnish)
  • Chopped parsley or more basil (for garnish)
  • Crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. If chicken breasts are thick, slice in half horizontally for even cooking.
  2. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once butter is melted and bubbly, add chicken breasts. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp should reach 165°F). Work in batches if needed. Transfer chicken to a plate and tent with foil.
  3. Lower heat to medium. Add minced garlic to skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits. Stir in heavy cream and parmesan cheese. Let sauce bubble gently for 3-4 minutes, stirring often, until slightly thickened. If sauce gets too thick, add a splash more broth.
  4. Add sliced sun-dried tomatoes and chopped spinach. Stir until spinach wilts and tomatoes soften (about 2 minutes). If using fresh basil, add now.
  5. Return cooked chicken breasts to pan, nestling into the sauce. Spoon sauce over each piece and let simmer for 2-3 minutes so flavors meld. Sprinkle more parmesan on top if desired.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes. If serving over pasta, add cooked noodles to pan to soak up sauce.
  7. Plate chicken and spoon extra sauce over top. Garnish with fresh parsley, basil, or extra parmesan. Serve hot.

Notes

For extra juiciness, use chicken thighs. To make dairy-free, substitute coconut cream and dairy-free parmesan. If sauce splits, whisk in a tablespoon of cold cream. Serve over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes. Leftovers taste even better the next day. For a lower-carb option, serve with cauliflower mash or zucchini noodles.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan chicken, creamy chicken, sun-dried tomato chicken, Italian chicken recipe, skillet chicken, family dinner, comfort food, gluten-free chicken, easy chicken dinner