Description
Tuscan chicken brings pure comfort straight to your dinner table with tender chicken bathed in a creamy, herb-infused sauce that whispers Mediterranean charm. Perfectly balanced flavors and simple ingredients make this dish a weeknight winner that your whole family will devour in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- ½ cup chicken broth
Flavor Enhancers:
- ½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic
- ½ medium onion
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Oils and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons reserved sun-dried tomato oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Pat 4 chicken breasts completely dry using paper towels. Generously season both sides with ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet at 375°F. Carefully place seasoned chicken breasts into hot oil, ensuring they do not touch. Sear exactly 6 minutes on first side until golden brown.
- Flip chicken and cook additional 5-6 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer chicken to a warm plate and cover loosely with aluminum foil.
- In same skillet, add 2 tablespoons reserved sun-dried tomato oil. Saute ½ chopped onion over medium heat for 4 minutes until translucent.
- Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook 45-60 seconds until aromatic. Stir in ½ cup drained sun-dried tomatoes and remaining Italian seasoning.
- Pour ½ cup chicken broth into skillet, scraping browned bits from bottom. Reduce heat to low and whisk in 1 cup heavy cream and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.
- Simmer sauce for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Add 5 ounces fresh spinach and cook 2 minutes until leaves wilt.
- Taste sauce and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Gently return chicken to skillet.
- Spoon sauce over chicken and heat for 3 minutes at low temperature. Garnish with fresh chopped basil and extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Pat chicken breasts completely dry before seasoning to help achieve a perfect golden-brown sear and lock in moisture.
- Use a heavy-bottomed skillet for even heat distribution and better browning of the chicken and sauce development.
- Choose high-quality Parmesan cheese and grate it fresh for the most robust flavor in the Tuscan sauce.
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk and reduce the amount of cheese to lower calories while maintaining a creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 445 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg