Creamy Tuscan Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken simmered in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and fresh herbs.

# What you need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.3 to 1.5 lbs)
02 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

→ Creamy Sauce

06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced
08 - 1 cup heavy cream
09 - 0.5 cup low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 0.33 cup grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
12 - 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
13 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Vegetables & Finish

14 - 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, plus extra for garnish

# How to make it:

01 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once foaming, add chicken and sear for 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F. Transfer to a plate and keep loosely covered.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in heavy cream, chicken broth, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix thoroughly and bring to a gentle simmer.
05 - Add chopped spinach and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until wilted. Stir in fresh basil.
06 - Return seared chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Spoon sauce over chicken and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through.
07 - Transfer to serving plates and garnish with additional fresh basil. Serve hot over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • The sauce tastes like you spent hours perfecting it, but you'll have dinner on the table in under 40 minutes.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes add this concentrated sweetness and depth that regular tomatoes can't touch, making the whole dish feel luxurious.
  • It works for weeknight dinners and fancy enough for when people surprise you by showing up hungry.
02 -
  • Don't overcrowd the pan when searing the chicken; give each breast space to make contact with the hot surface, or you'll steam instead of sear.
  • The sauce will tighten slightly as it cools, so if it looks a touch loose while cooking, that's actually perfect—it'll set to the right consistency on the plate.
03 -
  • Make this dish your own by swapping the spinach for kale (it won't wilt as fast), or adding mushrooms and caramelized onions to the sauce for extra depth.
  • If you forget to buy fresh basil, dried Italian herbs work in the sauce, but always finish with fresh basil if possible—it's the bright final note that makes people ask for your recipe.
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