Name: Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: italian
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup chicken broth; 1/2 cup milk (any kind, dairy or non-dairy); 4 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained and chopped; 3 cups fresh spinach; 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning; Salt and black pepper to taste

Description

This creamy Tuscan chicken recipe is a weeknight wonder, bringing restaurant-quality flavors right to your dinner table without any fuss. It’s a fantastic option for those evenings when you want something comforting and satisfying but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. Forget the heavy cream! This version achieves that rich, velvety texture using a clever ingredient swap, making it a lighter yet equally delicious choice for family meals or when you’re entertaining guests. It’s a perfect main dish that pairs beautifully with a variety of sides.

Ingredients

Scale

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup milk (any kind, dairy or non-dairy)

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained and chopped

3 cups fresh spinach

1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. 1. Prepare the Chicken: Start by patting your boneless, skinless chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps them brown nicely. Cut the chicken into uniform 1-inch pieces. Season the chicken generously with salt and black pepper.

2. 2. Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and mostly cooked through. You don’t need to cook it completely at this stage, as it will finish cooking in the sauce. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

3. 3. Saute Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the finely chopped onion to the same skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent. Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

4. 4. Build the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and milk, stirring well to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add the softened cream cheese, stirring constantly until it has fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.

5. 5. Incorporate Flavor and Greens: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and the chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Continue to stir until the Parmesan has melted into the sauce. Add the fresh spinach in batches, if necessary, allowing each batch to wilt down before adding more. Stir until all the spinach is fully wilted and incorporated into the sauce.

6. 6. Combine and Finish: Return the seared chicken pieces to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce. Stir gently to coat the chicken evenly. Let everything simmer together for another 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to finish cooking through. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

7. 7. Serve Warm: Remove the skillet from the heat and serve your creamy Tuscan chicken immediately. It’s best enjoyed fresh!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: main dish
Method: skillet
Cuisine: italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving

Keywords: tuscan chicken, creamy chicken, weeknight meal, chicken breast, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, easy dinner, quick recipe, skillet meal, comfort food