Creamy Tuscan Chicken Skillet (Print Version)

Tender chicken with creamy garlic sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in one pan.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Sauce

06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and sliced
08 - 1 cup heavy cream
09 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 3 cups fresh baby spinach
12 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
13 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

→ Garnish

14 - Fresh basil leaves for garnish
15 - Extra Parmesan cheese for garnish

# How to Make:

01 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides evenly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and sear for 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside on a plate.
03 - In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring occasionally.
04 - Pour heavy cream and chicken broth into the skillet. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the pan bottom to incorporate all flavor.
05 - Add Parmesan cheese, dried basil, and red pepper flakes. Stir continuously until cheese melts completely and sauce thickens, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
06 - Add fresh baby spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until completely wilted, about 2 minutes.
07 - Return seared chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon sauce over the top, and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through.
08 - Transfer chicken and sauce to serving plates. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and additional Parmesan cheese before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • One pan means minimal cleanup, which honestly matters more than any fancy technique when you're hungry.
  • The sauce tastes like you spent hours simmering when it really takes less time than ordering takeout.
  • Chicken comes out impossibly tender because the cream keeps everything moist while it cooks.
02 -
  • Don't skip patting the chicken dry or you'll end up steaming instead of searing, which changes the whole texture and flavor of the dish.
  • If your sauce seems too thin after adding the cream and broth, just let it simmer an extra minute or two—it will thicken as the cheese melts and the sauce reduces slightly.
03 -
  • Use a skillet that's at least twelve inches wide so the chicken lies flat and has room to sear properly without crowding.
  • If you're making this for guests, you can sear the chicken ahead of time and finish the entire dish in the last ten minutes right before serving.
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