Creamy Tuscan Chicken
This creamy Tuscan chicken recipe is a dinner winner! Seared chicken breasts simmer in a rich and creamy, spinach and sun-dried tomato sauce.
- Total time
- 35 min
- Active time
- 15 min
- Yield
- 4, 4 servings
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Equipment
- 2 required
Ingredients and Constraints
Ingredients
Ingredient watchpoints5 watchpoints
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Garlic
4 garlic cloves (minced)
The source row includes a form, size, temperature, preparation, or handling detail.
Details and source
Source: CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKEN
Yellow Onion
¼ cup finely chopped yellow onion
The source row includes a form, size, temperature, preparation, or handling detail.
Details and source
Source: CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKEN
Sun-Dried Tomatoes
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (thinly sliced)
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Details and source
Source: CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKEN
Heavy Cream
1 ½ cups heavy cream (*see note above for dairy-free options)
The source row includes a form, size, temperature, preparation, or handling detail.
Details and source
Source: CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKEN
Parmesan
¼ cup freshly grated parmesan
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Details and source
Source: CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKEN
Additional ingredient notes
TUSCAN CHICKEN INGREDIENTS
There’s a few ways you can go about making the Tuscan sauce – with fresh cherry tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes and with dairy or dairy-free.
For this version, I’m using sun-dried tomatoes since it has a deeper, bolder flavor that just makes this dish pop. And going classic using dairy. But you tweak to your liking! Here’s the ingredients, plus a few substitution ideas: Chicken: This dish is typically made with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. But you could also use chicken thighs as well if that’s more your thing. Italian Seasoning: You can usually find Italian seasoning at the market. If not, just use a mix of mix of individual spices such as oregano, thyme, basil, and rosemary. Garlic and Onion: Lots of garlic is always welcome. And for onions, you can use white, yellow, or even shallots.
Required setup
Equipment
large skillet
My favorite cast iron enameled braiser pan!
Method Overview
Structured method notes that are separate from the step timeline.
LISA’S TIPS
If you need some help choosing out a jar of sun-dried tomatoes, I’ve been loving this Alessi brand!
For dairy-free folks swapping in nutritional yeast, I’d recommend 1 to 2 tablespoons. If you have extra large or super thick chicken breasts, you may need to sear them longer in step 2.
Source video
Source video
Method Timeline
Prep
ActivePrep
15 min
Prep time from the source recipe card.
Cook
ActiveCook
20 min
Cook time from the source recipe card.
Total
PassiveTotal
35 min
Total time from the source recipe card.
Step 1
Prep the chicken. Season both sides of each chicken breast in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Image detailsSeason chickenDownshiftology · CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKENDev reference Inputs and tools3
Uses
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or a mix of individual spices such as oregano, thyme, basil, and rosemary)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Step 2
Sear the chicken. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and sear for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until golden. Remove the chicken from the pan to a plate and set aside.
medium heatSkillet
Image detailsSear chickenDownshiftology · CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKENDev reference Visual cue
until golden.
Checks2
Visual cueInfoVisualuntil golden.
Expected state: until golden.
TimingInfoTimingfor 3 to 4 minutes
Target: 3-4 minute
Expected state: Add the chicken and sear for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until golden.
Inputs and tools2
Uses
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Equipment
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
- Source: CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKEN
Step 3
Cook the onions. In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of oil and the onion. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes, until the onion has softened.
Image detailsCook onionsDownshiftology · CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKENDev reference Visual cue
until the onion has softened.
Checks2
Visual cueInfoVisualuntil the onion has softened.
Expected state: until the onion has softened.
TimingInfoTimingfor 2 to 3 minutes
Target: 2-3 minute
Expected state: Saute for 2 to 3 minutes, until the onion has softened.
Inputs and tools1
Uses
- ¼ cup finely chopped yellow onion
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
- Source: CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKEN
Step 4
Add the sun-dried tomatoes and garlic and saute another minute, until fragrant.
Image detailsCook tomatoes and garlicDownshiftology · CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKENDev reference Visual cue
until fragrant.
Checks1
Visual cueInfoVisualuntil fragrant.
Expected state: until fragrant.
Inputs and tools2
Uses
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (thinly sliced)
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
- Source: CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKEN
Step 5
Add the spinach, and saute another minute, until just starting to wilt.
Image detailsAdd spinachDownshiftology · CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKENDev reference Visual cue
until just starting to wilt.
Checks1
Visual cueInfoVisualuntil just starting to wilt.
Expected state: until just starting to wilt.
Inputs and tools1
Uses
- 2 cups baby spinach
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
- Source: CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKEN
Step 6
Add the heavy cream and parmesan cheese, stir together, and bring to a simmer.
Image detailsAdd cream and cheeseDownshiftology · CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKENDev reference Inputs and tools2
Uses
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream (*see note above for dairy-free options)
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan
Step 7
Let it simmer. Place the chicken back in the skillet and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.
5 min
Image detailsSimmerDownshiftology · CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKENDev reference Visual cue
until heated through, about 5 minutes.
Checks2
Visual cueInfoVisualuntil heated through, about 5 minutes.
Expected state: until heated through, about 5 minutes.
TimingInfoTimingabout 5 minutes
Target: 5 minute
Expected state: Place the chicken back in the skillet and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.
Why and source
This step has reviewed source-backed guidance.
- Source: CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKEN
Handling and Storage
Reviewed hold, storage, make-ahead, and service-timing guidance.
WAYS TO SERVE CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKEN
Make this a full, hearty meal by adding the chicken (and of course large spoonfuls of sauce) on top of rice, lentils, polenta, mashed potatoes, or mashed cauliflower.
Any of these options will soak up the sauce beautifully! You can whip up this massaged kale salad really quickly, or continue the Mediterranean theme with my Mediterranean Chickpea salad.
STORAGE TIPS
Not gonna lie, you’ll be hard-pressed to have leftovers of this recipe.
Because if there’s a chicken breast left in the pan someone is going back for seconds! But here’s how you can store leftovers: To store: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Learn More
Extra cooking notes, tests, and source details kept out of the step-by-step method.
Why this works
Quick kitchen reasons behind the main choices.
WHAT IS TUSCAN CHICKEN?
I’ll admit, I had to do a bit of research on where “Tuscan chicken” actually originated from.
But it seems like there’s no one strict answer. My two cents is that it’s a spin on a classic Italian Florentine sauce, which is made from white wine, cream, and spinach.
TUSCAN CHICKEN RECIPE VIDEO
Trust me, you’re going to want to see a visual of this recipe with how satisfying it looks on screen.
I mean, that creamy drizzle is everything! Follow along with the video when you make it yourself!
Article photos
Photos used with the article notes.
Source: CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKEN
Recipe structure
Components and intermediate outputs created by the method.
Main recipe
Recipe card ingredients and steps.
4, 4 servings
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Source and Origin
Origin declaration
Adapted from source
Imported from the downshiftology page for dev review.
Copy risk: Unchecked
CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKEN
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