Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken in a garlicky cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and vibrant spinach.

# What You Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1.2 lbs)

→ Seasonings

02 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika

→ For Searing

06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

→ Sauce

08 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 cup heavy cream
10 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
11 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced and drained
13 - 3 cups fresh baby spinach

→ Garnish (optional)

14 - Fresh basil leaves
15 - Extra Parmesan cheese

# How to Make It:

01 - Pat chicken breasts dry, then season both sides evenly with Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and paprika.
02 - Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add chicken breasts and sear for 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm.
03 - Reduce skillet heat to medium, add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to deglaze the pan; bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
05 - Stir in Parmesan cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
06 - Add fresh baby spinach and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until wilted.
07 - Return chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over, and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to heat through.
08 - Plate the chicken, garnish with fresh basil leaves and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, but honestly takes less time than ordering takeout.
  • The sauce is so silky and elegant that even people who say they don't like cream sauces end up asking for seconds.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and low-carb, which means you're not sacrificing flavor for dietary needs.
  • One skillet means minimal cleanup, which feels like the real win at the end of a long day.
02 -
  • If your cream sauce breaks or looks curdled, it usually means the heat was too high; lower the temperature immediately and stir constantly, and it will often come back together.
  • Don't let the chicken overcook while it waits; slice into the thickest part to check for doneness, and remember it continues cooking from residual heat even after you remove it from the pan.
  • The sun-dried tomatoes make or break this dish—buy the good ones or you'll be eating stringy pieces instead of concentrated flavor bombs.
03 -
  • Pound your chicken breasts to a consistent thickness if they're uneven; it ensures everything cooks at the same rate and prevents dry edges with a raw center.
  • Keep your Parmesan separate from your olive oil and cream until the last possible moment; cheese added to cold ingredients seizes up, but cheese stirred into warm sauce becomes silky and luxurious.

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