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Creamy Tuscan chicken in a skillet with garlic parmesan sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach
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⭐ Creamy Tuscan Chicken (Garlic Parmesan Chicken in Cream Sauce)

This creamy Tuscan chicken is a rich, restaurant-quality one-pan dinner made with golden-seared chicken, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a silky parmesan cream sauce. It’s ready in 30 minutes and perfect with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
Course Chicken Dinner, Comfort Food, dinner, Main Course, One-Pan Meals
Cuisine Italian-American, Tuscan-Inspired
Keyword 30 minute chicken dinner, comfort food chicken dinner, creamy chicken breast recipe, creamy chicken skillet, creamy garlic chicken, creamy tuscan chicken, easy chicken dinner recipe, garlic parmesan chicken, italian chicken skillet, one pan chicken dinner, restaurant style chicken recipe, spinach chicken recipe, sun dried tomato chicken, tuscan chicken recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 520kcal
Cost $14 for entire recipe

Equipment

  • Large 10–12 inch skillet (stainless steel or nonstick)
  • Tongs
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
  • Meat thermometer (recommended for accuracy)

Ingredients

  • 1–1.25 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts sliced or pounded to even ½–¾ inch thickness
  • ¾ teaspoon salt divided
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • ⅓–½ cups sun-dried tomatoes drained, blotted, and chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ½ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 1–2 teaspoons lemon juice to taste
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

  • Pat chicken dry and slice or pound to even thickness. Season with half of the salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Remove and let rest.

Step 3: Deglaze the Pan

  • Reduce heat to medium. Add a splash of chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from the pan.

Step 4: Build the Sauce

  • Add garlic and cook 15–20 seconds until fragrant. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook briefly.
  • Pour in remaining broth and heavy cream. Keep at a gentle simmer (do not boil) and cook until slightly reduced.

Step 5: Add Cheese and Flavor

  • Lower heat and stir in parmesan cheese gradually until melted and smooth. Add remaining salt, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using.

Step 6: Add Spinach

  • Add spinach and cook until just wilted.

Step 7: Finish the Dish

  • Return chicken to the pan and simmer 3–5 minutes until heated through and coated in sauce.
  • Remove from heat and stir in butter and lemon juice. Let sit 2–3 minutes to thicken slightly.

Step 8: Taste and Serve

  • Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm with pasta, rice, or bread.

Notes

  • For the best creamy Tuscan chicken, use finely grated parmesan cheese instead of pre-shredded to ensure a smooth, silky sauce without clumping.
  • Always keep the sauce at a gentle simmer, not a boil, to prevent the cream from separating or becoming greasy.
  • Pat the chicken dry before searing to create a golden crust and maximize flavor in this one-pan chicken dinner.
  • Slice or pound chicken to an even ½–¾ inch thickness so it cooks evenly and stays juicy.
  • Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, but drain and lightly blot them to avoid excess oil in the sauce.
  • Add fresh spinach at the end and cook just until wilted to keep its vibrant color and texture.
  • A small amount of lemon juice or Dijon mustard balances the richness of the creamy garlic parmesan sauce and enhances flavor.
  • If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen it before serving.
  • For extra sauce (great for pasta or rice), increase the heavy cream by ¼ to ½ cup.
  • This creamy chicken skillet pairs perfectly with pasta, mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently to maintain the creamy texture.