There’s something truly comforting about a Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe — tender chicken bathed in a rich, garlicky sauce with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. I love making this dish when I want an effortless yet impressive meal that feels just a bit fancy. It’s perfect for weeknights when you want something cozy or for company when you want to wow without too much fuss.
Jump to:
In the Kitchen
This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe brings a little slice of Italy into your kitchen with its luscious sauce and vibrant flavors. What I love most is how the simple, fresh ingredients come together to create something truly special—without complicated steps.
- Juicy and Tender Every Time: Searing the chicken in hot olive oil locks in moisture while creating a beautiful golden crust.
- Golden, Satisfying Finish: The creamy sauce thickens perfectly to coat each bite, enriched with Parmesan and Italian seasoning.
- Simple Ingredients, Big Impact: Few pantry staples come together with fresh spinach and sun-dried tomatoes for a wow-worthy dish.
- Weeknight to Weekend Ready: Quick enough for a busy night but elegant enough to serve guests with confidence.
Ingredients at a Glance
Getting your ingredients right is key. Choose fresh, good-quality chicken and flavorful sun-dried tomatoes — your sauce will thank you. A block of Parmesan cheese grated fresh elevates this dish, so skip the pre-grated if you can.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Opt for evenly sized breasts so they cook at the same rate.
- Olive Oil: Use extra virgin for flavor and a high smoke point to get that golden sear.
- Spinach: Fresh, chopped spinach wilts quickly and adds color and nutrients.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Choose the oil-packed variety for a richer, more tender bite.
- Heavy Cream: Provides luscious richness — don’t substitute or the sauce may separate.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated for that nutty flavor and creamy melt.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme for authentic flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the flavors.
Heads-Up: Exact measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom.
How to Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe
Step 1 — Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection
Pat the chicken breasts dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Once shimmering, add the chicken breasts and cook without moving for about 6-7 minutes on one side until deeply golden and releases easily from the pan. Flip and cook another 6-7 minutes until cooked through and no longer pink inside. You’re aiming for that toasty golden crust—don’t rush it or the chicken won’t get that satisfying sear.
Step 2 — Build the Creamy Tuscan Sauce
Remove the chicken to a plate and reduce the heat to medium. Into the same skillet, add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and chopped spinach. Stir and cook until the spinach wilts and the tomatoes soften — about 2 minutes. Pour in the heavy cream, then sprinkle in the freshly grated Parmesan and Italian seasoning. Stir constantly, letting the sauce simmer gently until thickened, about 3-4 minutes. You’ll notice the sauce turns silky and coats the back of your spoon perfectly.
Step 3 — Bring It All Together
Return the golden chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and let everything meld together on low heat for another 2-3 minutes. This ensures the chicken soaks up the flavors without drying out. The sauce will cling lovingly to the meat, making every bite luscious.
Things to Remember
In my experience, the secret to this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe is patience and attention to your sauce’s consistency. Don’t rush the sear or simmer. These small steps pay off with maximum flavor.
- Doneness Cue: Chicken should register 165°F or be firm to touch but still juicy inside.
- Temperature Trick: Medium-high heat for searing, then lower to medium to avoid burning sauce.
- Make-Ahead Move: You can prep sun-dried tomatoes and spinach ahead, but add cream last-minute for freshness.
- Common Pitfall: Avoid overcrowding the pan, which can steam chicken rather than sear it.
Ways to Serve It
Finishing Touches
The magic of this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe is in the sauce, so I usually finish with a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley for a pop of color and fresh herbaceous brightness. A little extra Parmesan grated on top doesn’t hurt either — it melts beautifully.
Plays Well With
This creamy, savory dish pairs wonderfully with buttery garlic mashed potatoes, a crisp green salad, or al dente pasta to soak up all that sauce. Crusty bread is another classic—perfect for sopping every last bit from your plate and leaving nothing behind.
Simple Plating Upgrades
For a quick weeknight, I’ll just plate the chicken on a bed of pasta with sauce ladled over. For guests, I love garnishing with sun-dried tomato slices and fresh herbs on the side, plus a drizzle of good olive oil to boost the gloss and richness visually and flavor-wise.
Make-Ahead & Keeping Fresh
Storing Leftovers
Store your Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe leftovers in an airtight container. Refrigerate and enjoy within 3 days for the best texture. The sauce might thicken in the fridge, but a quick gentle reheat will bring it back to silky smoothness.
Freezing Tips
This dish freezes reasonably well, but cream-based sauces can separate in the freezer. If you want to freeze, cool completely and portion into freezer-safe containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge and gently reheat, stirring to reincorporate the sauce. Freshly made is always best, but this works in a pinch!
Reheating Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe Without Drying Out
To reheat, warm gently over low heat on the stove with a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce. You can also cover and microwave in short bursts, stirring between, to avoid drying. Air fryer reheating isn’t ideal here since the sauce needs moisture to stay creamy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Chicken thighs add extra juiciness and flavor. Just be mindful they may need a few more minutes to cook through compared to breasts.
You can swap in roasted red peppers or fresh cherry tomatoes for a different but still delicious twist. The sun-dried tomatoes bring a concentrated sweetness that adds depth, so try to compensate with a bit of tang if skipping them.
Use coconut cream or a cashew cream substitute instead of heavy cream and omit the Parmesan or find a vegan cheese alternative. Keep salt and seasoning in check to balance the flavors.
Definitely! It reheats well, especially if you keep the sauce separate and combine before serving. Just remember the sauce thickens in the fridge and may need thinning when reheated.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe has become a go-to in my kitchen because it strikes that perfect balance between indulgence and simplicity. It welcomes improvisation and pairs beautifully with so many sides, giving you a reliable, satisfying dinner any night of the week. Give it a try—you’ll find it quickly rises to a favorite family classic that comforts and delights every time.
PrintFull Printable Recipe
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe
Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a rich and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a luscious sauce of sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. This skillet recipe is perfect for a comforting dinner that pairs wonderfully with pasta or crusty bread.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 1 cup spinach, chopped
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Cook the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 7 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: In the same skillet, add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and chopped spinach. Cook until the spinach has wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Pour in ½ cup heavy cream, then stir in ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Simmer the sauce for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the creamy sauce over the top. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the chicken to heat through.
- Serve: Transfer the creamy Tuscan chicken to plates and serve immediately with your choice of pasta or crusty bread, perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- Use fresh spinach for best texture; frozen spinach can be used but drain excess water before cooking.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil add more flavor, but if using dry ones, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes before chopping.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a mix of milk and cream.
- Parmesan cheese can be replaced with Pecorino Romano for a sharper taste.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Serve with garlic bread or your favorite pasta to complement the creamy sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Leave a Reply