Creamy Tuscan Chicken: A Rich and Elegant One-Pan Dish
A rich and elegant one-pan dish featuring tender chicken breasts smothered in a creamy sauce with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and baby spinach. Perfect for a cozy dinner or a special occasion!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- ¼ cup yellow onion finely chopped
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes thinly sliced
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1½ cups heavy cream or coconut cream for dairy-free
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
- Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper.
Sear the Chicken:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 4–5 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics:
- Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Sauté minced garlic and chopped onion for 2–3 minutes, until fragrant and softened.
Build the Sauce:
- Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1–2 minutes. Reduce heat to low and pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine.
Add Spinach and Parmesan:
- Add baby spinach and gently stir until wilted. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated into the sauce.
Return the Chicken:
- Place the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet. Simmer for 5–7 minutes, spooning the sauce over the chicken, until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F).
Serve:
- Serve the chicken warm, generously topped with the creamy sauce.
Notes
- Substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs for a juicier option.
- For a thinner sauce, add a splash of chicken broth.
- Make it dairy-free by using coconut cream and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
- Add a splash of white wine to deglaze the pan before adding the cream for extra flavor.