Description
A delicious, one-pan creamy Tuscan garlic chicken skillet featuring seared chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Simple enough for beginners but flavorful enough for dinner parties.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth (low-sodium)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil, drained)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3–4 cups fresh spinach
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Slice thick breasts in half horizontally to ensure even cooking.
- Heat olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant but not brown.
- Pour in chicken broth and scrape up brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 1 minute.
- Add heavy cream and stir. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
- Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. If too thick, add a splash of broth or milk.
- Toss in fresh spinach and stir until just barely wilted (about 30 seconds).
- Return chicken and any juices to the skillet. Spoon sauce over chicken and let sit for a minute before serving.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan when searing chicken; cook in batches if necessary. Save the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes to drizzle into the sauce for extra flavor. Grate your own Parmesan cheese to prevent a grainy sauce. Do not freeze this recipe as the cream sauce may separate and spinach becomes mushy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece of chicken w
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Tuscan chicken, one pan meal, creamy garlic chicken, easy weeknight dinner, skillet chicken, sun-dried tomato recipe, gluten-free dinner