Description
Whip up a Creamy Tuscan Chicken Dinner that tastes fancy but comes together with ease. My secret for a comforting, quick meal, even on chaotic weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- Chicken & Base:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs), halved horizontally
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Flavor Foundation:
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil), drained and chopped
- 5 oz fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Creamy Goodness:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Seasonings & Spices:
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep Your Chicken & Pan:: First things first, pat those chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This is a crucial step for getting that gorgeous golden-brown sear, trust me! Season them generously with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning. Heat your olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. I always make sure the pan is good and hot before the chicken goes in, otherwise, you’ll steam it instead of searing, and we don’t want soggy chicken, do we?
- Sear the Chicken:: Carefully place the seasoned chicken into the hot skillet. Don’t overcrowd the pan; you might need to do this in batches. Let it sear undisturbed for about 3-4 minutes per side, until it’s beautifully golden brown and cooked through. This is where the magic starts to happen, creating those flavorful browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside. It’s okay if it’s not perfectly cooked through, it’ll finish in the sauce!
- Sauté the Aromatics:: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the same skillet, adding a tiny bit more olive oil if needed. Sauté for about 3-5 minutes until it softens and becomes translucent. Then, toss in that glorious minced garlic and the red pepper flakes. Cook for just another minute until fragrant—don’t let the garlic burn, that’s a mistake I’ve made too many times, and it turns bitter fast!
- Build the Flavor Base:: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up all those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. This is called deglazing, and it adds so much depth to your Creamy Tuscan Chicken Dinner sauce. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes to reduce slightly, letting all those flavors meld together. It’s starting to smell really good now, can you smell it?
- Create the Creamy Sauce:: Stir in the heavy cream, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and the rest of your Italian seasoning. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it cook for 3-5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly. This is where the sauce truly becomes rich and velvety. Taste it! Adjust seasonings if you feel it needs more salt or pepper; sometimes I add a touch more Italian seasoning here.
- Finish & Serve:: Finally, return the seared chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the creamy sauce. Stir in the fresh spinach, letting it wilt into the hot sauce for just a minute or two. Sprinkle in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and stir until it’s melted and incorporated, making the sauce even more luscious. Cook for another minute to ensure the chicken is heated through. This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Dinner is ready when the sauce is thick and glossy, and the chicken is tender. Serve immediately and prepare for happy sighs!