Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Creamy Tuscan Chicken is packed with bold flavors and comes together quickly in one pan, making it both delicious and convenient. The creamy sauce, infused with garlic, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes, clings beautifully to the golden chicken. It’s comforting, versatile, and pairs well with pasta, rice, or low-carb sides like zucchini noodles or cauliflower mash.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
salt
black pepper
Italian seasoning
olive oil
garlic (minced)
sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained and chopped)
baby spinach
heavy cream
chicken broth
Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
optional: crushed red pepper flakes
optional: fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)

Directions

1. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 5–6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add more oil if needed. Sauté the garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute.
5. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer.
6. Add grated Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
7. Add spinach and let it wilt into the sauce.
8. Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Simmer for 2–3 minutes to reheat the chicken and meld the flavors.
9. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley and serve hot.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 4 people.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes

Variations

• Dairy-Free: Use coconut cream and a dairy-free cheese substitute.
• Low-Carb/Keto: Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
• Add Mushrooms: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the garlic for extra depth.
• Extra Spicy: Add more red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce.
• Use Chicken Thighs: For more flavor and tenderness, substitute with boneless chicken thighs.
• Lighter Version: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce the cheese slightly.
• Tomato-Free: Omit sun-dried tomatoes and add lemon zest for a fresh alternative.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, warm in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or cream if the sauce thickens too much.
Microwave in short intervals, stirring between each.
Freezing is not recommended as the cream sauce may separate when thawed.

FAQs

Can I use frozen spinach?

Yes, just thaw it first and squeeze out excess moisture before adding to the sauce.

What can I substitute for heavy cream?

You can use half-and-half, though the sauce will be lighter and less rich.

Do I have to use sun-dried tomatoes?

No, you can omit them or replace with cherry tomatoes for a fresher taste.

Is this dish spicy?

Not inherently, but you can add red pepper flakes to increase the heat level.

Can I make this ahead?

You can prepare the sauce and chicken separately, then reheat and combine when ready to serve.

What goes well with Tuscan chicken?

Pasta, mashed potatoes, rice, polenta, or steamed veggies make excellent sides.

How do I know when the chicken is done?

Use a meat thermometer—internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, just use a larger skillet or cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Is this gluten-free?

Yes, the recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just be sure your chicken broth and other packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Can I use pre-shredded Parmesan?

It’s better to use freshly grated Parmesan for a smoother sauce, as pre-shredded may not melt evenly.

Conclusion

Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a luxurious, easy-to-make meal that combines savory chicken, rich cream sauce, and vibrant vegetables in every bite. Whether served over pasta or paired with lighter sides, it’s a dish that looks and tastes impressive—but comes together in just one skillet. Once you try it, it’s bound to become a new favorite in your dinner rotation.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

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Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a one-skillet Italian-inspired dish with golden-seared chicken breasts smothered in a luscious garlic-Parmesan cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. It’s rich, flavorful, and ready in just 30 minutes.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: Serves 4
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained and chopped)
• 3 cups baby spinach
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Optional: 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Optional: chopped fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add more oil if needed, then sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute.
5. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir and bring to a simmer.
6. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and sauce is slightly thickened.
7. Add baby spinach and cook until wilted.
8. Return chicken to the pan and spoon sauce over the top. Simmer for 2–3 minutes to heat through.
9. Garnish with chopped basil or parsley. Serve hot.

Notes

• Use boneless thighs for juicier meat.
• Swap sun-dried tomatoes with cherry tomatoes for a fresher taste.
• Use coconut cream and dairy-free cheese for a dairy-free option.
• Add mushrooms with garlic for extra flavor.
• Pairs well with pasta, rice, or low-carb sides like zucchini noodles.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 550mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 6g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 38g
• Cholesterol: 130mg