Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken with Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 30–35 minutes Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1.5–2 lbs)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Creamy Tuscan Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
For Serving
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Sautéed green beans, carrots, and zucchini
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
2. Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 2–3 minutes per side until lightly golden. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked. Transfer it to a baking dish.
3. Make the Creamy Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté the minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir gently and bring to a simmer.
4. Add the Vegetables: Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and chopped spinach. Cook for 1–2 minutes until the spinach begins to wilt. Mix in half of the Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes smooth.
5. Assemble the Dish: Pour the creamy spinach and sun-dried tomato sauce over and around the chicken breasts. Sprinkle the mozzarella and remaining Parmesan evenly over the top.
6. Bake the Chicken: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
7. Brown the Cheese: Switch the oven to broil for the final 2–3 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
8. Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables. Spoon extra creamy Tuscan sauce over the chicken before serving.
Tips
- For extra flavor: Use a little oil from the sun-dried tomato jar instead of olive oil.
- For a thicker sauce: Let the sauce simmer gently for a few extra minutes before pouring it over the chicken.
- For juicy chicken: Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.
- For extra vegetables: Add sliced mushrooms or bell peppers to the creamy sauce.
- For the best taste: Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
