Searching for a comforting and tasty dish that's a breeze to whip up? You've found it with this Creamy Tuscan Chicken recipe! Bursting with flavor and a cinch to make, this dish is bound to become a staple in your dinner lineup. Plus, with the addition of sun-dried tomatoes, it adds an extra pop of savory goodness to elevate the dish even more!
In this article, I'll be sharing a straightforward recipe for Creamy Tuscan Chicken, complete with a list of ingredients, step-by-step cooking instructions, and some handy tips to ensure your dish turns out perfectly every time.
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What is Creamy Tuscan Chicken?
Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a delicious Italian-inspired dish typically made with chicken breasts cooked in a creamy sauce with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and herbs.
Tuscan Chicken pairs well with a variety of sides such as pasta, nokedli, rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. A simple side caprese salad or roasted vegetables also complement the dish nicely.
Ingredients:
Let's take a look at the key ingredients you'll need for this recipe:
- Chicken Breast: Tender and juicy, chicken breast serves as the protein base for this dish.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Oil: These tomatoes add a burst of sweet and tangy flavor to the dish, along with a delightful chewy texture.
- Garlic Powder and Fresh Garlic: Garlic provides a rich, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish. We'll be using both garlic powder and fresh garlic for a double punch of garlic goodness.
- Shallots: Shallots offer a milder, sweeter flavor compared to onions, adding depth to the dish without overpowering other ingredients.
- Heavy Cream: The secret to the creamy texture of this recipe, heavy cream lends a luscious richness to the sauce.
- Spinach: Packed with nutrients and vibrant flavor, spinach adds color, texture, and a hint of freshness to the dish.
- Low-Sodium Broth: Broth serves as the liquid base of the sauce, infusing the dish with savory flavor without overwhelming it with saltiness.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme, Italian seasoning adds an authentic Mediterranean flair to the dish.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: These pantry staples help to season the dish, balancing out the flavors and enhancing the overall taste.
- Parmesan Cheese: Finely grated Parmesan cheese adds a nutty, salty kick and helps to thicken the sauce, resulting in a velvety finish.
How to Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe:
Now that we've covered the key ingredients, let's dive into the simple yet flavorful cooking process for Creamy Tuscan Chicken.
- Prepare the Chicken: Begin by seasoning the chicken breast with oregano, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. This step ensures that the chicken is well-flavored and aromatic.
- Sear the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the seasoned chicken breast and sear for approximately 5 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Cook the Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the shallots and cook for about 1 minute, until they become translucent and fragrant. Next, add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Finally, add the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing their flavors to intensify.
- Simmer with Broth: Pour in the low-sodium broth and bring it to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. This step helps to deglaze the pan and infuse the broth with the delicious flavors from the aromatics.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Once the broth is simmering, stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy. These ingredients add richness and depth to the dish, creating a luxurious sauce that coats the chicken beautifully.
- Simmer with Chicken: Return the seared chicken breast to the skillet, nestling it into the creamy sauce. Allow the chicken to simmer in the sauce for about 3-5 minutes, allowing it to absorb the flavors and become tender and juicy. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
- Finish with Spinach: Finally, add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until it wilts down and becomes tender, stirring occasionally to incorporate it into the sauce. The spinach adds a pop of vibrant color and a boost of nutrients to the dish.
- Serve. Once the spinach is wilted, return the chicken to a skillet and spoon sauce over it. Add basil leaves and remove from the heat and serve immediately.
Tips for Making Creamy Chicken Tuscan:
Here are some tips to create a delicious and satisfying Creamy Tuscan Chicken that's sure to impress your family and friends.
- Optimal Chicken Size: To ensure even cooking and maximize flavor absorption, I recommend using 4 small chicken breasts for this recipe. If you're using larger chicken breasts, consider slicing them in half horizontally to create thinner cutlets. This not only helps to speed up the cooking process but also ensures that the chicken remains tender and juicy.
- Enhance Flavor with Marinated Sun-Dried Tomatoes: For an extra burst of flavor, consider using marinated sun-dried tomatoes in oil rather than plain sun-dried tomatoes. The oil infusion adds richness and depth to the tomatoes, elevating the overall taste of the dish. Be sure to drain any excess oil from the tomatoes before adding them to the skillet.
- Proper Searing Technique: When searing the chicken, make sure the skillet is hot enough to create a golden brown crust on the outside while keeping the inside tender and juicy. Avoid overcrowding the skillet, as this can cause the chicken to steam rather than sear. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to maintain an even sear.
- Simmering the Sauce: When simmering the sauce with the chicken, keep an eye on the heat to prevent it from boiling vigorously. A gentle simmer allows the flavors to meld together beautifully without overcooking the chicken. Stir the sauce occasionally to ensure even distribution of the ingredients and prevent sticking.
- Adjust Seasoning to Taste: Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning to suit your preferences. Remember, it's easier to add seasoning gradually than to fix an overly salty or spicy dish later on.
FAQs:
Yes, you can substitute boneless chicken thighs for chicken breasts if you prefer. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly as thighs may take slightly longer to cook.
Yes, you can make a dairy-free version of Chicken Tuscan by using a dairy-free cream substitute such as coconut cream or almond milk. Just be mindful that the flavor and consistency may be slightly different.
While Chicken Tuscan is best served fresh, you can prepare some components in advance such as chopping vegetables or marinating the chicken. However, it's best to cook the dish just before serving for optimal flavor and texture.
While you can freeze Chicken Tuscan, the creamy sauce may separate slightly upon thawing. If you do freeze it, I recommend reheating it gently and stirring well to recombine the sauce.
This recipe typically isn't spicy, but you can adjust the level of heat by adding crushed red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper if you prefer a spicier dish. Adjust according to your personal taste preferences.
If you don't have sun-dried tomatoes, you can use fresh tomatoes or roasted red peppers as a substitute. Just be aware that the flavor may vary slightly.
Storage:
To store leftover creamy Tuscan chicken, cool it, seal it in airtight containers, refrigerate promptly, label with the date, use within 3-4 days, and reheat thoroughly when ready to eat.
For additional food safety guidance, please visit this website.
Reheating:
To reheat creamy Tuscan chicken, start by removing it from the refrigerator and transferring it to a microwave-safe dish or saucepan.
If using a microwave, heat it on medium heat, pausing to stir occasionally, until it's thoroughly warmed.
Alternatively, if using a stove, heat it over medium heat, stirring continuously until heated through.
Ensure it reaches a piping hot temperature before serving to ensure it's safe to eat. Once heated, serve and enjoy your delicious creamy Tuscan chicken!
I hope you'll enjoy this recipe and share it with friends! If you try it and don't mind, please leave me a comment and/or give this recipe a ★★★★★ rating. Be sure to subscribe to receive weekly recipes and follow me on Pinterest.
📖 Recipe
Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) small boneless and skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons minced shallots
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 3½ oz sun-dried tomatoes marinated in oil (drained and chopped) about ½ cup
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1½ oz shredded parmesan cheese (about ½ cup) or more to taste
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves (loosely packed)
Method
- Season chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook seasoned chicken for 5 minutes on each side until fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F/75°C). Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté shallots until translucent (about 1-2 minutes). Add minced garlic, cook for 30 seconds, then add sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in broth, bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet.
- Add cream and cheese, stir. Return chicken to pan, simmer for 3-5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Taste, add salt and black pepper if needed. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Add spinach to skillet, cook until wilted. Return chicken to pan, spoon sauce over, add basil leaves, then remove from heat.
Rika says
A yummy creamy Tuscan recipe that your family will adore!