Restaurant-Style Creamy Tuscan Chicken

I’m excited to share my perfected version of Creamy Tuscan Chicken, a dish that brings the rich flavors of Italian cuisine right to your dinner table. This one-skillet wonder combines tender chicken with a luxurious cream sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach for a restaurant-quality meal that’s surprisingly simple to prepare at home.

Why This Recipe Works

The magic lies in building layers of flavor: first by properly searing the chicken to create a golden crust, then using those flavorful browned bits as the foundation for a velvety sauce. The combination of sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach adds both visual appeal and a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and earthy notes.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 4 chicken breasts (about 150-170g each)
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) extra virgin olive oil

For the Tuscan Cream Sauce

• 3 large cloves garlic, finely minced
• 240ml (1 cup) heavy cream
• 120ml (½ cup) chicken broth
• 40g (⅓ cup) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 100g (1 cup) sun-dried tomatoes, julienned
• 60g (2 cups) fresh baby spinach
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Detailed Instructions

Step 1: Prepare and Season the Chicken

1. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels
2. If breasts are very thick, butterfly or pound to even thickness
3. Mix salt, pepper, and paprika in a small bowl
4. Season chicken evenly on both sides

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat
2. Once oil is shimmering, add chicken breasts
3. Sear for 5-6 minutes on first side until golden brown
4. Flip and cook 4-5 minutes on second side
5. Remove to a plate and tent with foil

Step 3: Create the Sauce Base

1. Reduce heat to medium
2. Add minced garlic to the same skillet
3. Sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant
4. Pour in chicken broth
5. Scrape pan bottom with wooden spoon to release fond
6. Simmer until broth reduces by half (about 2 minutes)

Step 4: Build the Cream Sauce

1. Pour in heavy cream
2. Add Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning
3. Stir continuously until cheese melts
4. Simmer 2-3 minutes until sauce begins to thicken
5. Add sun-dried tomatoes
6. Stir in fresh spinach until wilted

Step 5: Finish the Dish

1. Return chicken and accumulated juices to pan
2. Spoon sauce over chicken
3. Simmer 4-5 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C)
4. Adjust seasoning to taste

Pro Tips

• Choose chicken breasts of similar size for even cooking
• Don’t move chicken while searing for better crust formation
• If sauce becomes too thick, thin with additional chicken broth
• Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for better flavor

Variations

• Substitute chicken thighs for more flavorful results
• Add mushrooms with the garlic for extra umami
• Use kale or Swiss chard instead of spinach
• Add artichoke hearts for authentic Tuscan flavor

Serving Suggestions

• Over al dente pasta
• With crusty Italian bread
• Alongside roasted potatoes
• With zucchini noodles for low-carb option

Storage

• Refrigerate in airtight container up to 3 days
• Reheat gently to prevent sauce separation
• Not recommended for freezing due to cream sauce

Nutritional Information

Per serving (¼ recipe):

• Calories: 520
• Total Fat: 35g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Cholesterol: 155mg
• Sodium: 890mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 12g
• Dietary Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 5g
• Protein: 45g

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

This Creamy Tuscan Chicken has become my signature dish for both family dinners and entertaining guests. The rich, velvety sauce paired with perfectly cooked chicken creates an impressive meal that looks and tastes like it came from a high-end Italian restaurant. The combination of sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach not only adds beautiful color but also provides a perfect balance of flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds.