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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.

30 minServes 4easytuscanchickencreamygarlicchickenonepanmeal30minutemealsitaliandinner
Creamy Tuscan Chicken

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 6

    Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until it has completely melted and the sauce is smooth.

  7. 7

    Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and stir until it has just wilted into the sauce, about 1-2 minutes.

  8. 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. 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.