Savory Garlic Butter Tuscan Chicken
A quick and easy Tuscan chicken recipe featuring garlic butter, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach in a creamy sauce without heavy cream. Perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz / 170 g each), thinner or sliced in half horizontally
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil preferred)
- 3 cups fresh spinach, packed (or baby spinach)
- ½ cup heavy cream (120 ml)
- ½ cup chicken broth (120 ml)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or mix of dried basil, oregano, and thyme)
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. (About 5 minutes)
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C). Remove from pan and set aside. (10-12 minutes)
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the same pan and let it melt. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant but not browned, about 1 minute.
- Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any brown bits. Let the broth reduce slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add fresh spinach to the pan and stir gently until wilted and reduced in volume, about 2-3 minutes.
- Pour in heavy cream, then sprinkle in Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and Parmesan cheese. Stir well until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
- Return the chicken breasts to the pan, nestling them into the sauce. Spoon sauce over the top and simmer on low heat for 2-3 minutes to marry flavors.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately with your favorite sides.
Notes
If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more broth or cream to loosen it. If too thin, simmer longer to reduce. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safety and juiciness. Avoid overcrowding the pan to get a perfect sear. Garlic should be cooked gently to avoid bitterness. Spinach shrinks significantly, so start with a generous amount.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Tuscan chicken, garlic butter chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, creamy chicken recipe, easy dinner, weeknight meal, Italian chicken