Description
Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Parmesan Sauce is a quick and easy dinner recipe featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich, flavorful Parmesan cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and Italian herbs. This comforting and elegant meal is perfect for weeknights or entertaining guests, offering a delicious balance of indulgence and nutrition.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme mix)
Sauté and Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra if needed)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil, drained, reserve a bit of oil)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups fresh spinach leaves
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken breasts on both sides until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest.
- Sauté Aromatics and Tomatoes: In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed. Sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes to infuse their sweet, tangy flavor into the pan.
- Make the Parmesan Cream Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring well to combine. Allow the mixture to gently simmer for several minutes until it starts to thicken. Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce is smooth, rich, and creamy.
- Add Spinach and Finish: Stir in the fresh spinach leaves, letting them wilt into the sauce. Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon the sauce over them. Warm everything together for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- Let chicken come to room temperature before cooking for juicier meat and even cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when searing chicken to ensure a golden crust.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best texture and flavor.
- Choose sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for a softer texture and richer taste; keep a bit of the oil for sautéing.
- Simmer the sauce gently and avoid boiling to prevent it from splitting.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
Keywords: Creamy Tuscan Chicken, Parmesan Sauce, Italian Chicken Recipe, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Spinach, Easy Dinner, Gluten Free