Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Name: Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped; 1/2 cup chicken broth; 1 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated; 4 cups fresh spinach; 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped; 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

A rich and flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken breasts in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Italian herbs. This restaurant-quality meal is perfect for a special dinner at home.

40 minMediumServes 4480 cal/serving

ItalianDinnerStovetopHigh ProteinKetoLow CarbAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
4 cups fresh spinach
2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions

1

If 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts are thick, slice them horizontally to create thinner cutlets. Season both sides with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder.
2

Heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3

Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
4

Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate. Cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
5

In the same skillet, add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
6

Add 1/2 cup drained and chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1-2 minutes.
7

Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
8

Reduce heat to medium-low and add 1 cup heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer.
9

Stir in 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
10

Add 4 cups fresh spinach and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes.
11

Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to reheat the chicken and allow the flavors to meld.
12

Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if desired.
13

Serve immediately, with pasta, rice, or crusty bread if desired.

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Questions

What internal temperature should Creamy Tuscan Chicken reach?

For Creamy Tuscan Chicken, the target internal temperature is 165 F (about 75 C), given in step 3. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Is there a substitute for sun-dried tomatoes in Creamy Tuscan Chicken?

The entry for Creamy Tuscan Chicken calls for 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped. In its place: A tablespoon of tomato paste plus chopped roasted red peppers gives the concentrated tomato flavor and the chew.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts in Creamy Tuscan Chicken?

Yes. Boneless thighs at the same weight are more forgiving and stay juicier. Give them two to four minutes longer; they are at their best around 175 F rather than 165 F. As written, the entry for Creamy Tuscan Chicken uses 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

Can I make Creamy Tuscan Chicken less spicy?

Yes. The heat in Creamy Tuscan Chicken comes from 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. For a milder plate, halve the red pepper flakes; nothing else in the method changes.

Can I make Creamy Tuscan Chicken dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in Creamy Tuscan Chicken is 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated. Swap the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed; the cream for full-fat coconut milk or an oat cooking cream; the cheese for a plant-based melting cheese (expect a milder flavor). The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Is Creamy Tuscan Chicken low-carb?

A serving of Creamy Tuscan Chicken carries 6 g of carbohydrate, 1 g of it fiber. Against a strict 20 g keto day that is 30 percent of the budget; against a moderate 100 g low-carb day it is 6 percent.

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