Creamy Tuscan Chicken
This one-pan Tuscan chicken recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes. Perfectly seared chicken breasts are simmered in a rich, decadent cream sauce featuring garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan. This definitive version combines the best techniques for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs total)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 large shallot, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and julienned
- 1/4 cup dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio)
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, for garnish
- to taste Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Steps
- 1
Pound the chicken breasts to an even 1/2-inch thickness and season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and the Italian seasoning.
- 2
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Place the chicken in the hot pan and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
- 3
Reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter in the same skillet. Add the chopped shallot and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and julienned sun-dried tomatoes, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Pour in the white wine to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it bubble and reduce by half.
- 5
Stir in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it cook for 3-5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
- 6
Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until it has completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
- 7
Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and stir until it has just wilted into the sauce, about 1-2 minutes.
- 8
Return the seared chicken and any juices from the plate back into the skillet. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and let it warm through for a minute.
- 9
Garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately.
Pro tips
- Sear Hot for a Crust: Use medium-high heat to get a beautiful golden-brown crust on the chicken without overcooking it.
- Rest the Chicken: Always let the cooked chicken rest on a plate while you make the sauce. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender, juicy result.
- Freshly Grate Your Parmesan: Blocks of Parmesan cheese melted into the sauce create a much smoother, creamier texture than pre-shredded varieties.
- Bloom Aromatics: Cooking the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes in butter for a minute before adding liquids unlocks a deeper layer of flavor.