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Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

creamy tuscan chicken - featured image

A quick and easy 30-minute recipe featuring tender chicken breasts in a creamy, savory sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and fresh spinach. Perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (medium size)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 34 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed preferred)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth (gluten-free if needed)
  • ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When butter is melted and foamy, add chicken breasts.
  3. Cook chicken for 5-6 minutes on one side without moving to develop a golden crust.
  4. Flip chicken and cook for another 5 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove chicken from pan and set aside on a warm plate.
  5. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently.
  6. Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
  7. Stir in heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Reduce heat to low and stir until cheese melts and sauce thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
  8. Add fresh spinach and stir until wilted, about 1-2 minutes. Season sauce with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
  9. Return chicken breasts to the pan, nestling them into the sauce. Spoon sauce over chicken and warm together for 2-3 minutes.
  10. Serve chicken with generous spoonfuls of sauce. Pairs well with mashed potatoes, pasta, or steamed rice.

Notes

For best flavor, use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes. If using dry sun-dried tomatoes, soak in warm water for 10 minutes before chopping. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts better than pre-shredded. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking chicken. If sauce is too thin, simmer longer; if too thick, add broth or cream to loosen. Resist moving chicken too much during searing for a good crust. Can substitute chicken thighs with adjusted cooking time. For dairy-free version, use coconut milk and nutritional yeast instead of cream and Parmesan.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan chicken, creamy chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, weeknight meal, creamy sauce, spinach, Parmesan