Save this Creamy Tuscan Chicken for dinner! 🍗🍅 Tender golden chicken is simmered in a rich garlic Parmesan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s an easy one-pan dinner that’s perfect with pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken
When you want a comforting dinner without spending hours in the kitchen, Creamy Tuscan Chicken is hard to beat.
Juicy chicken breasts are pan-seared until golden and then finished in a creamy garlic sauce loaded with Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Italian herbs.
Everything comes together in one skillet in around 30 minutes, making this an excellent option for busy weeknights while still feeling special enough for a weekend dinner.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts, about 600–700 g total
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
For the Creamy Tuscan Sauce
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup (75 g) sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream or cooking cream
- ½ cup (50 g) freshly grated Parmesan
- ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil for serving
Instructions
Season the chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry.
Season both sides with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
If your chicken breasts are particularly thick, gently pound them to a more even thickness.
Sear until golden
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken and cook for approximately 5–6 minutes per side, depending on thickness.
The exterior should become beautifully golden.
Transfer the chicken to a plate. It will finish cooking in the sauce.
Sauté the garlic and tomatoes
Reduce the heat to medium.
Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for approximately 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the sliced sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute.
Make the creamy sauce
Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
Add the cream and stir gently.
Sprinkle in the Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes.
Reduce the heat and allow the sauce to simmer gently until it begins to thicken.
Add the spinach
Add the fresh spinach directly to the sauce.
Stir gently for approximately 1–2 minutes, until the leaves wilt into the creamy mixture.
Taste and adjust the seasoning.
Return the chicken
Place the chicken breasts back into the skillet.
Spoon some of the creamy sauce over each piece.
Allow everything to simmer gently for several minutes until the chicken is completely cooked and the sauce has thickened.
Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).
Serve
Finish with freshly chopped parsley or basil and additional Parmesan.
Serve immediately with plenty of creamy Tuscan sauce spooned over the chicken.
Tips for the Best Tuscan Chicken
Don’t overcook the chicken. Sear it first and let it finish gently in the sauce.
Use freshly grated Parmesan. It generally melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer. Avoid aggressively boiling cream-based sauces.
Use the sun-dried tomato oil. A small spoonful added to the skillet can provide extra tomato and herb flavor.
What to Serve With Creamy Tuscan Chicken
The sauce is one of the best parts of this recipe, so choose something that can soak it up.
Try serving it with:
- Pasta or fettuccine
- Mashed potatoes
- Steamed rice
- Roasted potatoes
- Garlic bread
- Green beans
- Roasted broccoli
- Simple green salad
Easy Variations
Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Slice the cooked chicken and toss everything with cooked penne, linguine, or fettuccine.
Mushroom Tuscan Chicken
Sauté sliced mushrooms before adding the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes.
Spicy Tuscan Chicken
Increase the red pepper flakes for a little more heat.
Tuscan Salmon
Use salmon fillets instead of chicken and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat.
If the sauce becomes too thick after refrigeration, add a small splash of chicken broth or cream while reheating.
Avoid bringing the sauce to a vigorous boil.
Final Note
Golden chicken, garlic, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a rich creamy sauce make this Creamy Tuscan Chicken the kind of dinner that tastes impressive without requiring complicated preparation.
With one skillet and about 30 minutes, you have a comforting family dinner that’s especially delicious served over pasta or mashed potatoes.