Creamy Tuscan Chicken With Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Creamy Tuscan chicken with fresh garlic, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes is a meal worthy of entertaining or special occasions, yet it can be on your table in under 30 minutes.
I don’t know about you, but one thing we nearly always have in the freezer, or can easily pick up from the store, is a few chicken breasts. They are endlessly versatile and so easy to make a meal from, even when you’re in a hurry. So, it stands to reason that I’m always on the lookout for new recipes to make full use of this humble staple!
Besides the chicken, there is a LOT to like about this meal. A rich, flavorful cream sauce, infused with fresh garlic, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning. Colorful spinach and sun-dried tomatoes perk everything up and ensure there’s some nutrition. 🙂
And, while you could serve this plain or alongside nearly anything, I mean, pasta goes with it so well. Why fight it?
You’ll also love that this tastes like a special occasion dinner, without being a huge amount of work. In fact, it’s pretty easy to get on the table in about 30 minutes, prep work included, and without dirtying a huge volume of pots and pans.
Now that is a winning combination!
What is “Tuscan chicken” exactly?
Now, although I understand that many online recipes for “Tuscan chicken” are inspired by a dish that is or used to be served at The Olive Garden, full disclosure: I have never personally eaten this dish. In fact, I’m not entirely sure I have ever even been to an Olive Garden. So, I can’t say whether this is close or not to that dish.
I can say with confidence that it’s absolutely delicious, and I’d wager it’s much better than the restaurant version – especially when home-cooked and served around your very own table to grateful family and friends.
What is Tuscan seasoning?
Tuscan seasoning is a convenient spice blend that is very similar to standard Italian seasoning, but with a few swaps. Typical ingredients in Tuscan seasoning would include basil, oregano, rosemary, marjoram, sage, and thyme, along with garlic powder, fennel seeds, and sun-dried tomatoes. Some versions may also include dried red or green bell peppers.
I personally don’t keep Tuscan seasoning on hand, so this recipe incorporates many of those flavors, but in an easy, fresh way – just how I like it!
Tips to set this Tuscan chicken recipe apart
A few things set this recipe for creamy Tuscan-style chicken apart:
- Flavorful Chicken – however flavorful the sauce is, you do not want to spoon it over bland chicken breasts! Taking 30 seconds to season the chicken with kosher salt and black pepper does wonders, as does a light dredge in flour, which gives the chicken the tiniest little “crust.”
- Fresh Garlic – In a real pinch, you could sub garlic powder for the minced cloves, but fresh really does a make difference here.
- Just Enough Cream – You want the sauce to be rich but not too heavy. And really, do any of us need more heavy cream just for the sake of it? 🙂 I’ve tried it with more, I’ve tried it with less, and I really believe this ratio is best, with 3/4 cup as written.
What To Serve With Creamy Tuscan Chicken
If you’re looking for side dishes to pair with this recipe, I’d suggest:
- a five-minute arugula parmesan pine nut salad
- roasted lemon pepper asparagus
- Ina Garten’s roasted parmesan broccoli would also be amazing with this – it’s truly the best broccoli I’ve ever prepared or eaten!
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Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts thinly-sliced (about 1-1.5 pounds) (see note 1)
- 2-3 teaspoons kosher salt
- a few turns of freshly-ground black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic minced (see note 2)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1-2 cups fresh spinach roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes roughly chopped (see note 3)
- pasta for serving
Instructions
- In a large skillet, warm olive oil over medium-high heat. Place flour in a small bowl or plate. Lightly sprinkle each side of the chicken breasts with kosher salt and black pepper, then dredge each side lightly through the flour. Shake off any excess, then place chicken breasts in the warm pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, just until browned and no longer pink in the center. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
- If the skillet is dry, add a tiny bit more olive oil, followed by the garlic. Cook for about 1 minute, just until fragrant. Add chicken broth, and scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Add cream, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce visibly thickens.
- Stir in spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, and simmer for 1-2 minutes, until spinach wilts.
- Add chicken back to the skillet, spoon a bit of sauce over each piece, and serve with pasta or other sides as desired.
Hoping this turns out as wonderful as the picture looks!
Do you cut the chicken before cooking? Your picture shows a whole breast.
Hi Emily- I usually buy thin-sliced breasts and do not cut before cooking, but when I took these photos I lived in Belgium where they normally do not trim quite as much from the chicken or slice it as thin! I hope that helps somewhat! And I definitely hope it turns out well for you – please let me know! xx
Cooked this tonight for supper, it was a hit!! Will be cooking this again real soon!
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I love any chicken dish, especially Italian ones! Just need a side of breadsticks and I’m good to go! YUM!! ?
This looks so so good! My husband is picky with cream sauces but I think this would win him over.
Oh my goodness, this looks fabulous!!!
Oh my goodness gracious this looks delicious! Pinning for later!
This looks delicious! I can’t wait to try it! I always have chicken in my fridge too!
Too bad I just came back from grocery shopping and don’t have the main ingredients! Looks so yummy!!!!
That looks amazing! I think this is going on my dinner list for the week. Yum!
Oh yum. In the 80’s I was so put off with sun-dried tomatoes, because pesto and sun-dried tomatoes were used on everything. I guess I thought they had come out of nouveau cuisine of the decade, not realizing that zillions of Italians had been making pesto and drying tomatoes for a thousand years!!! Anyway, fortunately I got over it and I can’t get enough of sun-dried tomatoes. LOVE this dish.
Yum! I need to try this for dinner this week. Whiat heavy cream do you use?
Hi Jewels! The cream that’s I buy here in Belgium is labeled “creme a fouetter” or “slagroom” and is 40% milk fat. (That’s a bit more fat than standard “heavy cream” sold in the U.S.) If you are shopping in the U.S., either heavy cream or heavy whipping cream should work fine in this recipe – here is an article I’ve found helpful for differentiating a little more between the two, if you’re interested in learning more!
Looks delicious! What kind of pasta did you use?
Thanks so much, Janet! I used tagliatelle in these photos!
I appreciate the fact the recipe is quick and easy. Thanks.
Ugh, now THIS is the kinda comfort food I need in this cold, snowy weather! Such an elegant combo of flavours! Can’t wait to try it 🙂
Wow, that sauce looks so tasty, and my son would agree with you on the pasta! I know what you mean about tasty Chicken, I’m so lucky I can get local free range chicken
Love the colours and flavours in this dish! I think my family would love this – must try it soon!
This looks absolutely delicious – that sauce has my mouth watering. I can see this dish being very popular with my family!
This looks so creamy and comforting. I love anything with sundried tomatoes, so this sounds good to me!
I have been experimenting with sun dried tomatoes recently. I REALLY like the idea of using them in a recipe like this! YUM!
To my mind, there is nothing as satisfying as a bowl of perfectly cooked pasta with a rich, creamy sauce. This looks delicious!
I would never pass up a great pasta dish…and I LOVE those thick noodles. This sounds perfect for a nice easy weekend meal….add a bottle of wine and enjoy with your friends.
Yes – you just described my ideal evening! 🙂 Thanks so much, Gloria!
That sauce looks absolutely divine! I adore sun dried tomatoes!
Thanks so much, Becca! They’re one of my favorites, too – I love them in pesto, on pizza, in sauces, dips, you name it!
I LOVE the sound of this!!!
Firstly it is pasta and I am pastas biggest fan, secondly it has sun dried tomatoes in it and I just can’t get enough of them!!!
This pasta is so elegant, perfect for entertaining or a mid-week meal. JUST LOVE IT (Did I say that already!!)
I am with you all counts – pasta and sun-dried tomatoes are pretty much irresistible to me! Thanks so much, Claire!
This looks to die for, I’m seriously drooling. Love all your tips too, so helpful!
Thank you so much, Emily!
Hi there. Have you ever tried cutting the chicken into bite size pieces before cooking it?
Hi Patti, I’ve never personally tried that, but it should work just fine! Just keep an eye so it doesn’t overcook. Enjoy!