Creamy Tuscan Chicken With Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
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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!
If you make this Creamy Tuscan Chicken, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. I love hearing how recipes turn out in your kitchen, and it helps other readers, too.
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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.
Flavorless and lacking depth. It looked great on the photos but don’t let that fool you
Harsh, Stephanie! 😉 I’m truly sorry it was not to your liking. Most people find dishes with this amount of garlic, cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and seasoning to be quite flavorful, so you must have a very unique palate. I wish you well!
I’m going to make this soon.
Can I use Orecchiette pasta?
Yes, any type of pasta is fine!
Made this for dinner tonight! Hubby was blown away by how good it tasted. said it tastes kind of like pizza. Took 30 minutes start to finish. I used fettuccini noodles and definitely will be making again!
So glad to hear that, Cindy – thank you for taking the time to leave this review!
Delicious. May not be an every week meal, but, it is well worth the calories serving the chicken with pasta. Comfort food at it’s best. ….Yum!
This recipe is wonderful. I did increase sauce ingredients only because of Hubby who likes a lot of sauce. Will definitely make again.
Yum, more sauce is always a good idea! 🙂 So glad you enjoyed the recipe, and thank you for leaving this helpful review!
I don’t know why, may be someone else knows. What was posted was not my comment. It was someone else’s that I had read. . However, I made this as is and we found it delicious, perfect comfort food. Well worth the calories!
I absolutely LOVE this recipe! This is going to be a once a week dinner. 😁
Hello! I have made this recipe once, and loved it! I had to ask, though, have you ever tried this recipe with Tuscan seasoning instead of Italian seasoning ?
Hi Suzan, so glad you enjoyed it! I haven’t tried it with Tuscan seasoning but am sure it would be really delicious!
Delicious!
Fabulous!! I added mushrooms.
That sounds like a delicious addition! Thank you so much for the 5 stars, so happy you enjoyed it!
Hi Monica! his was so easy to make and was excellent!
OMG! Delicious! My whole house smelled amazing as it was cooking. I’m sure it was the garlic! My picky 12 year old loved it as well. I doubled the sauce! We like sauce in our family. I paired it with orzo that was cooked in chicken broth! I’ll be making this for company for sure!
Could you make this in a crockpot?
Hi Jamie, I’m sure you could make something similar but would probably want to search for a recipe specifically designed for a crockpot. I’m not sure how the cream would handle being cooked for a long time, sometimes that can cause the sauce to separate!
Over the TOP amazing… a definite keeper… I look forward to making it again. Thank You
Yay, thank you for sharing that, Jane! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, and really appreciate your time in coming back and leaving a review!
I just made this. Oh my god it was fantastic. It came out like something you would be served in a restaurant. You would think more fancy intricate work went into making it. I made it with brocolli for lower carbs for the diet part of the house and pasta for non diet part. Everyone was happy. I am so impressed. Well done and thank you.
This is so good. One of the best recipes. My whole family loved it. My family has asked me to make it again. Definitely will be making it again. Taste like a dish that would be expensive if you ordered it in a restaurant
That’s so wonderful to hear, and thank you so much, I really appreciate the 5 star review!
As a student, I always look for inspiration online. A wonderful recipe I’ve stumbled upon. It’s quick, cheap, and homemade! ?
What type of pasta did you use for the pictures?
Pappardelle!
I have made this several times for my family and they are pickest group you ever want to meet. And, they just love it. Making it again tonight. Thanl uou so much for this recipe.
That is so wonderful to hear, Gail! I’m so glad this has helped you feed the family, and thank you SO much for taking the time to let me know – it means the world to me!
I want to use almond flour instead of regular flour. Is there a way to calculate the nutrition facts with almond flour?
Hi Sarah, that’s a great idea and should work well! I don’t personally know how the nutrition facts would compare, but I know the calculator over at https://www.myfitnesspal.com/ is well regarded and should be able to help you out! Enjoy!
I am having a dinner at my house and I was having trouble thinking about what I was gonna have to cook, but this recipe not only is easy to do but the results are also AMAZING!
By the way, is the first time I navigate through your blog and it is so cool!
Merry Christmas
Thanks, Dani, that’s so kind of you to say, and I’m so happy you loved the recipe! Merry Christmas to you, too!
Hello,
Can I use chicken stock instead of chicken broth?
Thank you
Can’t wait to try it
Yes, that should be fine!
Tastes pretty good but would omit the parm in the sauce and add it later because it clumps the sauce and makes it look like baby food.
Made this last night and boy was it a hit. Even my picky eater love it. Will definitely make again.
That is so great to hear! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
This. Was. Delicious! Made it last night. Big hit!!
AMAZING dish! The flavors are bold. Went by the recipe and came out perfect! Will definitely make again. Thanks for the helpful tips and sharing your recipe ?
Thanks so much, Ashley, I’m so glad you enjoyed it and really appreciate you taking the time to let me know! This made my day. 🙂