Creamy Tuscan Chicken
626 Comments
Updated Jul 11, 2024
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Win over dinner guests with this simple Tuscan chicken recipe! Juicy chicken breasts are seasoned with Italian spices and seared until golden, then simmered in the most luxurious cream sauce filled with parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, onions and plenty of spinach.
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. Then it was given a Tuscan twist by adding garlic and sun-dried tomatoes to the warm cream and spinach base.
But what really popularized this dish (at least in America) was Olive Garden’s Tuscan Garlic Chicken, a dish with a similar flavor profile, served over fettuccine.
Either way, I’m glad this Tuscan chicken became a trend because it’s literally the best thing ever. Especially when you’re craving something rich and cheesy, with an Italian flair.
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.
- Sun Dried Tomatoes: After trying several jars from different brands, I came across this jar of sun-dried tomatoes that tasted so fresh and delicious. Plus, it’s the perfect amount for this recipe!
- Spinach: Feel free to go heavy on the baby spinach (I really pack it in the measuring cup) since it wilts down to teeny bits as it cooks!
- Heavy Cream: While dairy-based heavy cream is traditionally used, you have dairy free options as well. You can use a can of coconut cream (not to be confused with coconut milk) or you can make cashew cream at home.
- Cheese: Freshly grated parmesan is the way to go here. For a dairy-free option, nutritional yeast mimics a similar cheesy, nutty flavor.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How to Make The Best Tuscan Chicken Recipe
Season and cook the chicken. Season both sides of each chicken breast in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Then warm up a large skillet with some olive oil. Add the chicken, sear for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, and transfer the chicken to a plate. If your chicken breasts are on the thicker side, you might need an additional minute.
Helpful tip: You can swap olive oil with the sun-dried tomato oil from the jar to give your chicken extra flavor!
Start the tuscan sauce. In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of oil with the onion, and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Then add the sun-dried tomatoes and garlic, and saute for another minute, or until it smells incredibly delicious and fragrant.
Helpful tip: If you want to deglaze the pan a bit more, feel free to pour in a bit of white wine as you’re cooking the onions.
Add the spinach. Pile the spinach in the pan and saute for another minute, until it just starts to wilt down.
Finish the Tuscan sauce. Add the heavy cream and cheese, and stir everything together. Go ahead and let this simmer so all the flavors can meld together.
Tuck the chicken back into the skillet. Using tongs, add the chicken breasts back to the pan. Let the chicken cook for about 5 minutes on the stovetop, or until warmed through, then remove from heat. Just be aware that the sauce will also thicken as it cools!
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!
Want a side salad? 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.
- To freeze: Freezing is also a smart idea if you want to enjoy this again in the near future. You can store leftovers (or a second batch) in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
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! Click below to watch.
More Favorite Easy Chicken Recipes
If a pack of unused chicken is staring at you – here’s some easy dinner ideas I guarantee you’ll love. And if you need more inspiration, check out my roundups of the best chicken breast recipes or chicken thigh recipes.
- Chicken Piccata
- Butter Chicken
- Greek Sheet Pan Chicken
- Teriyaki Chicken
- Chicken Stir-Fry
- White Chicken Chili
I can’t wait for you to make this Tuscan chicken. I guarantee you’ll have it on repeat when you need something super delicious and impressive. Once you cook this up, let me know your thoughts in a comment below!
Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Description
Video
Equipment
- Le Creuset Braiser My favorite cast iron enameled braiser pan!
Ingredients
- 4 (6-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 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
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup finely chopped yellow onion
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream, *see note above for dairy-free options
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan
Instructions
- Prep the chicken. Season both sides of each chicken breast in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- 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.
- 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.
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes and garlic and saute another minute, until fragrant.
- Add the spinach, and saute another minute, until just starting to wilt.
- Add the heavy cream and parmesan cheese, stir together, and bring to a simmer.
- Let it simmer. Place the chicken back in the skillet and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.
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. You could also pound them evenly flat or butterfly each chicken breast for a faster cook time.
- For those who asked about my black-rimmed dinner plates, they don’t make the exact one anymore, but these dinner plates are very similar!
Nutrition
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I made this for dinner tonight paired with Pappardelle pasta and some oven roasted veggies for a side. It was delicious! I will definitely be making it again.
That sounds amazing! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Kelly.
I made this for dinner with buttered pasta and it was AMAZING, I’ll definitely have to make this again.
Wonderful! I’m glad you enjoyed this Tuscan chicken, Bex.
Exceptional. Made it for dinner for my husband and two sons. My older son said he said it was the best of the cream sauce chicken dishes I’ve made recently (madeira and piccata). The sun dried tomatoes were a huge hit and I was asked to please use them going forward. I see comments pairing the dish with pasta. Great idea for the next time I make this. Def on my rotation now. Thanks so much for thoughtfully putting these recipes together!
Thanks so much for leaving a review Mary and happy to hear this Tuscan chicken was such a hit!
Thanks
Made the Tuscan Chicken last night. It was a big hit. I made it with chicken thighs because my husband loves dark meat. I also used fresh tomatoes from our garden. The taste was awesome and I will make it again and again.
Thrilled to hear you and your husband enjoyed this Tuscan chicken, Patty!
Delicious easy one pan skillet chicken dish served with Caesar salad.
This Tuscan chicken is the perfect pairing with Caesar salad!
Such an amazing and easy dish to make. The flavours melt together is a rich creamy sauce. My husband enjoyed it very much.
Glad you and your husband loved this recipe, Pat!
Well the Tuscan chicken is truly amazing, thank you for your wonderful recipes and tips too ! 🥰
I will be definitely ordering your cook book and so look forward to your emails.
Thank you so much
Thrilled to hear you enjoyed the Tuscan chicken, Jayne!
We served it on a bed of sweet potatoe mash with a hint of nutmeg 😋
The perfect pairing!
Can I use dry sun-dried tomatoes instead of in the jar?? If so. would you recommend doing anything differently??
Anxious to try this.
Thank you for all of your inspiring ideas!
That should be fine, I would keep the recipe as is.
Thank you for a delicious recipe!! I’ve replaced the sun-dried tomatoes with tomato paste. It was less expensive for me today. When I get paid, will definitely add the sun-dried tomatoes. It would be great to see you cooking this in Tuscany. Best wishes and keep up the great work!!
Thrilled to hear you enjoyed this Tuscan chicken, Vera!
Soooo delicious and Very easy to prepare.
Thank you very much for your wonderful recipes and videos.
I am thoroughly enjoying the recipes in your cook book that I ordered and have recommended it to several friends.
Ellie
Happy to hear you’re enjoying this Tuscan chicken, amongst the many other cookbook recipes, Ellie!
Absolutely delicious and EASY!! Some other recipes call for dredging in flour and then creating a roux to thicken the sauce but this was perfect with the heavy cream and the cheese. Love the fact that this recipe also uses more spinach. I’ve saved this to my recipe file. Thank you!!
Sometimes simple is best! I’m glad you enjoyed this Tuscan chicken.
I’d really like to try this recipe. Wondering if this is something I could make ahead of time for a crowd of about 12 people?. Any help with making it ahead of time would be appreciated. Thank you.
Hi Joanne – I do think this recipe is best made fresh, as the sauce will thicken as it sits.
The creamy Tuscany chicken is a new favorite! Thank you for the easy step by steps.
I’m so glad this Tuscan chicken has become a new favorite for you, Pam!
I made this last night and followed the recipe to the letter. I would not change a thing. It was absolutely delicious! The chicken was super moist and the sauce was decadent! I will definitely will make again…and again…and again!
Thanks so much, Ken! I’m happy you loved it!
Loved this recipe! My family loved it as well and will be making for my fiances family.
Served it with the recommended kale salad which paired EXCELLENT with this dish as well as some Italian herb butter basmati rice. Really good! Loved the freshness and acidity of the kale salad paired with this. Will definitely be making this dinner again! Thank you!
Happy to hear this meal (with the kale and rice) turned out perfectly for the whole family!
5 stars we loved it
Thanks, Robert!
I have made this recipe several times and it’s amazing and easy to cook.
It’s our favorite and we love to serve it with with fettuccine al dente. Yummy!
Thrilled to hear you love this Tuscan chicken, Miryam!
I cut the chicken in cubes and when it’s all don’t we serve it over egg noodles! This recipe is delicious I make it often!! Enjoy
That sounds amazing served over egg noodles! Glad you enjoyed it Stacey.
Love your Greek chicken recipe so much; I just ordered your cookbook. Can’t wait to get
Thanks so much, Denise! I’m thrilled you love all of my recipes and thanks so much for buying my cookbook as well. :)
I have made this tuscan chicken recipe multiple times and love it. I use homemade cashew cream as I am mostly non dairy. I also made the sauce and put shrimp in it instead. amazing! it’s not a difficult recipe but looks fancy when having guests and tastes even better left over. always make extra!
This sounds amazing with shrimp! Happy to hear this Tuscan chicken is in your rotation, Andrea.
Very tasty. However, your recipe called for grated Parmesan cheese, in the video you said grated, but you use shredded. I bought my ingredients based on the recipe. And I think it would taste better if I had the shredded like you mentioned in the video. Are you able to update the recipe to show shredded?
Hi there – I’m freshly grating parmesan in the video.
So delicious and I love how you can make more or less .It’s also good with rice ,egg noodles or mash potatoes. Very easy to make.It tastes like you are a great chef.
I’m so glad you’re loving this Tuscan chicken, Catherine! It really is such a great dish to be enjoyed with different sides.