Classic Creamy Tuscan Chicken — Rich, Comforting, and Irresistibly Delicious

🍗 Classic Creamy Tuscan Chicken — Rich, Comforting, and Irresistibly Delicious

Name: Classic Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2-3 servings
Ingredients: 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or 2-3 thighs); 1 tbsp olive oil (for chicken); 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; Salt & freshly cracked black pepper, to taste; 2 tbsp olive oil (for sauce); 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed), drained and sliced; 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped; 1 cup heavy cream; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; Optional: fresh basil and extra Parmesan for garnish

One-pan, restaurant-quality dinner featuring seared chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and a silky Parmesan cream sauce. Ready in ~30 minutes. Serves 2–3.

🧾 Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

🐔 For the Chicken

◾️ 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 2–3 thighs)
◾️ 1 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
◾️ 1 tsp Italian seasoning
◾️ 1/2 tsp garlic powder
◾️ Salt & freshly cracked black pepper to taste

🍅 Creamy Tuscan Sauce

🔹️ 2 tbsp olive oil
🔹️ 2 cloves garlic, minced
🔹️ 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed), drained & sliced
🔹️ 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
🔹️ 1 cup heavy cream
🔹️ 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
🔹️ Salt & pepper to taste

🌿 Optional Garnishes

✅️ Fresh basil, chopped
✅️ Extra grated Parmesan

🔥 Instructions

➡️ Pat the chicken dry and season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
➡️ Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside (it will finish cooking in the sauce).
➡️ Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté ~30 seconds until fragrant.
➡️ Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook 1 minute to release flavor.
➡️ Stir in the chopped spinach and cook until wilted (1–2 minutes).
➡️ Pour in the heavy cream, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan for extra depth.
➡️ Stir in the grated Parmesan and simmer 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
➡️ Return the seared chicken to the skillet, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 5–7 minutes until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
➡️ Plate and garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan. Serve hot.

▶️ Tip: if the sauce becomes too thick, stir in a splash of water, chicken broth, or reserved pasta water to reach your preferred consistency.

🔹️ Pro Tips

👉 Use chicken thighs if you want extra juiciness — breasts work fine but can dry out if overcooked.
👉 Grate fresh Parmesan for the best melting and flavor — pre-grated won’t give the same creamy result.
👉 Sun-dried tomatoes oil-packed add richer flavor; if using dry-packed, rehydrate in warm water first and add a splash of olive oil.
👉 Serve with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

🍝 Serving Suggestions

◾️ Buttered fettuccine or penne
◾️ Creamy mashed potatoes
◾️ Garlic bread or crusty baguette
◾️ Side arugula or Caesar salad for brightness

✅️ Pairs beautifully with a chilled glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio.