Description
Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a flavorful and elegant dish featuring tender, pan-seared chicken breasts simmered in a luscious sauce made with garlic, cherry tomatoes, spinach, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. This one-skillet meal delivers a perfect balance of creamy richness and fresh, vibrant flavors, ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
Sauce
- 3 Tbsp. butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: In a skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the chicken breasts and season them generously with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and dried oregano. Cook the chicken until browned on both sides and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reaches 165°F, about 8 minutes per side. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce base: Using the same skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, approximately 1 minute. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Cook the tomatoes until they start to burst, releasing their juices, then add the baby spinach and cook until it begins to wilt.
- Make the creamy sauce and combine: Stir in the heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer until slightly thickened and reduced, about 3 minutes. Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for an additional 5 to 7 minutes until the chicken is heated through and the flavors meld together.
- Serve: Serve the creamy Tuscan chicken hot, garnished with fresh lemon wedges for a bright, tangy finish that complements the rich sauce.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a splash of white wine before adding the heavy cream to deglaze the pan.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer it a few minutes longer until desired consistency is reached.
- This dish pairs well with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- To add a spicy kick, sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes when cooking garlic.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
