Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe

Quick & Cozy Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe for Flavor Lovers

Creamy Tuscan chicken promises a delightful culinary adventure that crafts ordinary weeknight dinners into memorable experiences.

Rich, velvety sauces envelop tender chicken in a symphony of Mediterranean-inspired flavors.

Mediterranean ingredients dance together, creating an irresistible harmony of textures and tastes.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this dish brings restaurant-quality elegance directly to your kitchen.

Fragrant herbs and robust seasonings elevate each succulent bite beyond traditional chicken preparations.

Pantry staples merge into an extraordinary meal that feels both comforting and indulgent.

Home cooks of all skill levels can master this impressive recipe with minimal effort.

What Makes Creamy Tuscan Chicken So Satisfying

  • Savor Luxurious Creamy Comfort: This recipe delivers a rich, velvety sauce that hugs each tender chicken piece with incredible Italian-inspired flavors, creating a restaurant-quality meal right in your kitchen.
  • Master Simple Gourmet Cooking: Requiring only one skillet and basic ingredients, home cooks can effortlessly transform ordinary chicken into an impressive dish that looks and tastes like a professional chef prepared it.
  • Enjoy Nutritious and Flavorful Balance: Packed with protein from chicken, vitamins from spinach, and a burst of brightness from sundried tomatoes, this recipe offers a well-rounded meal that satisfies both taste buds and nutritional needs.
  • Experience Quick Weeknight Elegance: From start to finish, this meal comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy families wanting a delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Ingredient Essentials

Main Proteins:
  • Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that provides the main body of the dish, choose fresh, boneless, and skinless cuts for best results.
Herbs and Seasonings:
  • Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the chicken's natural flavor.
  • Italian Seasoning: Aromatic herb blend that adds classic Mediterranean flavor complexity.
  • Fresh Basil: Bright, fragrant herb used as a fresh garnish for added color and taste.
Sauce and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Olive Oil: Cooking fat for searing chicken and creating a rich base for the sauce.
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds depth and traditional Italian flavor to the dish.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates a rich, smooth sauce with luxurious texture.
  • Chicken Broth: Adds liquid and additional savory flavor to the sauce.
  • Sundried Tomatoes: Intense, concentrated tomato flavor that brings a tangy sweetness.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Salty, umami-rich cheese that thickens and enriches the sauce.
  • Spinach: Fresh green vegetable that adds nutrition and color to the final dish.

Cook Creamy Tuscan Chicken at Home

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage.

Step 2: Cook Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 6-8 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté Garlic

In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic for about 1 minute until aromatic.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

Add ingredients to the skillet:
  • Heavy cream
  • Chicken broth
  • Italian seasoning
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in:
  • Sun-dried tomatoes
  • Parmesan cheese

Step 5: Combine Chicken and Sauce

Return chicken to the skillet, simmering in the sauce for 5 minutes.

Step 6: Add Spinach

Stir in fresh spinach and cook until just wilted.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Plate the chicken and sauce, garnishing with fresh basil leaves. Serve hot and enjoy the rich, creamy Tuscan-inspired dish.

Must-Know Tips for Creamy Tuscan Chicken

  • Choose Quality Chicken: Select fresh, thick chicken breasts with even thickness to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry edges.
  • Perfectly Sear Meat: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust that locks in moisture and flavor.
  • Control Cream Sauce Consistency: Stir continuously while simmering to prevent sauce from separating and maintain a smooth, silky texture.
  • Optimize Spinach Addition: Add spinach at the last moment to preserve its vibrant green color and prevent wilting into mushy texture.
  • Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast Italian seasoning briefly in the pan before adding liquid to release its aromatic oils and intensify overall taste profile.

Store and Reheat Creamy Tuscan Chicken the Right Way

  • Refrigerate: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the chicken and sauce together to maintain moisture.
  • Microwave Reheating: Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Cover and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
  • Stovetop Revival: Gently reheat the Creamy Tuscan Chicken in a skillet over low heat. Add a little extra cream or broth to restore the sauce's creamy consistency, stirring occasionally until warmed through and serving immediately.

Best Pairings for Creamy Tuscan Chicken

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chardonnay or pinot grigio to complement the creamy sauce and cut through the richness of the chicken.
  • Match with Rustic Bread: Serve a crusty Italian ciabatta or focaccia to soak up the delicious sauce and add textural contrast.
  • Create a Fresh Side Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the creamy dish and provide a zesty, peppery counterpoint.
  • Enhance with Roasted Vegetables: Serve roasted asparagus or honey-glazed carrots to add color, nutrition, and a subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with the savory chicken.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Variations

  • Spicy Mediterranean Fusion: Replace Italian seasoning with harissa paste and add red pepper flakes for a fiery kick. Swap spinach for arugula to intensify the peppery flavor profile.
  • Herb Garden Chicken: Use fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage instead of dried Italian seasoning. Incorporate roasted artichoke hearts and crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired variation.
  • Lighter Coconut Wellness: Substitute heavy cream with light coconut milk and add a splash of lime juice. Include diced bell peppers and swap Parmesan for nutritional yeast for a dairy-free, lighter version.
  • Rustic Mushroom Elegance: Sauté mixed wild mushrooms with the garlic before adding cream. Replace sundried tomatoes with fresh cherry tomatoes and sprinkle with fresh chives for an earthy, woodland-inspired dish.
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Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe


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4.8 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Tuscan chicken delivers an irresistible Mediterranean-inspired culinary journey with tender chicken bathed in a rich, herb-infused cream sauce. Elegant ingredients and simple preparation make this dish a perfect weeknight indulgence you’ll want to savor again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Sauce and Seasonings:

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Garnish and Additional Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
  • ½ cup (75 grams) sundried tomatoes, chopped
  • ¼ cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup (15 grams) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

  1. Generously coat both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring even seasoning.
  2. Warm olive oil in a spacious cast-iron or stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers slightly.
  3. Carefully place seasoned chicken breasts into the hot skillet, allowing each side to develop a golden-brown crust, approximately 6-8 minutes per side. Verify internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for complete cooking.
  4. Transfer perfectly seared chicken to a clean plate, letting it rest while preparing the sauce.
  5. Reduce skillet heat to medium and add finely chopped garlic, stirring continuously for about 60 seconds until aromatic and lightly golden.
  6. Pour in heavy cream (35% milkfat), low-sodium chicken broth, and authentic Italian seasoning blend, whisking to create a smooth, unified sauce.
  7. Allow sauce to gently simmer, then incorporate sundried tomatoes and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until cheese melts completely.
  8. Reintroduce chicken breasts into the creamy sauce, allowing them to absorb flavors for approximately 5 minutes.
  9. Add fresh baby spinach leaves, folding them into the sauce until they just begin to wilt but retain their vibrant green color.
  10. Plate immediately, garnishing with delicate fresh basil leaves and an optional sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • Achieve golden-brown perfection by cooking chicken over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes per side, ensuring a crispy exterior and juicy interior.
  • Create a rich, velvety sauce by sautéing garlic briefly before adding cream, broth, and seasonings, which builds layers of deep flavor.
  • Enhance the dish’s Mediterranean essence with sundried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese, providing a tangy and umami boost to the creamy base.
  • Wilt fresh spinach at the last moment to maintain its vibrant green color and delicate texture, adding a nutritious element to the meal.
  • Elevate presentation by garnishing with fresh basil, which introduces a bright, aromatic finish that complements the creamy sauce.
  • Opt for chicken breasts at room temperature before cooking to ensure even heat distribution and more consistent results.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 450 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 380 mg
  • Fat: 32 g
  • Saturated Fat: 16 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 5 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 140 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

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