I recently made Creamy Garlic Chicken With Spinach and was impressed by the medley of simple ingredients. Tender chicken breasts are simmered with garlic, sun dried tomatoes, and fresh baby spinach in a rich cream sauce balanced by Parmesan and a splash of olive oil. This recipe truly captivates me.

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I’ve always been on the hunt for a dinner that feels both indulgent and easy to whip up, so when I first tried this Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken recipe I knew it was a keeper. It starts with searing four boneless skinless chicken breasts in olive oil until they’re perfectly golden then a generous dose of minced garlic is added for that punch of flavor everyone loves.

I then pour in a little chicken broth and heavy cream along with some grated Parmesan cheese to create the rich sauce, tossing in finely chopped sun dried tomatoes and fresh baby spinach as it simmers. The Italian seasoning and salt and pepper really elevate the dish, making it a complete, satisfying meal thats ready in just 35 minutes.

This dish always leaves me thinking about the possibilities in every bite and I can’t wait for you to try it in your own kitchen.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe because the creamy garlic sauce is just phenomenal. I mean, nothing beats that rich, cheesy flavor when mixed with garlic and sun dried tomatoes that make every bite taste amazing.

Another reason why I’m so into it is because it’s super fast and easy. I can have a full-flavored dinner on the table in about 35 minutes using just one skillet. Even on a hectic day, it feels really doable, and that makes me appreciate it a lot.

I also dig the mix of ingredients – the chicken, spinach, and those tasty sun dried tomatoes bring a fun Italian vibe to the dish. It’s like a mini Italian getaway right in my kitchen, and that definitely makes my tastebuds happy.

Finally, I like that its a pretty forgiving recipe. Even when I don’t get everything perfect, it still turns out great and tastes like something you’d order at a fancy restaurant. I love how simple it is, yet it still feels indulgent!

So here’s how I usually make it: First, I pat my chicken breasts dry and season them with salt and pepper. Then I heat up some olive oil in a big skillet on medium-high heat until its nice and hot. I sear the chicken until it’s got a pretty good golden color – usually about 3-4 minutes on each side – and then take the chicken out.

After that, I lower the heat and toss in the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until it smells amazing. I pour in chicken broth and heavy cream along with a pinch of Italian seasoning and let the mixture come to a simmer. I stir in grated Parmesan so it melts into the sauce perfectly, then mix in the chopped sun dried tomatoes and let it all cook for a couple of minutes. Next, I add the fresh baby spinach and cook it just until it starts to wilt, usually about one minute.

Finally, I put the chicken back into the skillet, spoon lots of the sauce on top, and let it simmer for another 5-7 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked. I always give it a taste and tweak the salt and pepper if needed before serving it hot. This method always makes me feel like even if I mess up a bit, it still turns out delish.

Ingredients

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Chicken breasts offer high protein and essential amino acids, great for muscle growth.
Salt and pepper season the dish perfectly, enhancing natural flavors without overdoing it.
Garlic adds a punch of flavor and antioxidants, boosting digestion and immunity.
Chicken broth provides moisture and a savory base, enriching this creamy sauce.
Heavy cream brings rich, smooth texture that makes the sauce irresistibly indulgent.
Parmesan cheese gives a sharp, salty kick and adds calcium for bone strength.
Sun dried tomatoes introduce tangy sweetness and are a vibrant source of vitamins.
Baby spinach is a fiber and vitamin-packed green that boosts overall nutrition.

Ingredient Quantities

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes (drained if in oil)

2 cups fresh baby spinach

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

How to Make this

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1. Pat the chicken breasts dry and season ‘em well with salt and pepper.

2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it’s shimmering.

3. Sear the chicken breasts for about 3-4 minutes on each side until they get a nice golden color then take them out of the skillet.

4. Lower the heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the skillet. Stir it around for about 30 seconds until it smells great.

5. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, add the Italian seasoning, and bring the mixture to a simmer.

6. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce.

7. Mix in the chopped sun dried tomatoes and let everything cook together for another 2 minutes.

8. Add the fresh baby spinach and cook it down for about 1 minute until it just starts to wilt.

9. Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over it, and simmer for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

10. Taste the sauce and adjust the salt and pepper if needed, then serve hot and enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. Paper towels – for drying the chicken breasts properly so they sear well
2. Cutting board – needed for chopping garlic and sun dried tomatoes
3. Knife – for mincing garlic and preparing any other ingredients
4. Measuring cups and spoons – used to measure the olive oil, chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning
5. Large skillet – where you’ll sear the chicken and cook the sauce
6. Spatula or wooden spoon – for stirring and mixing the sauce in the skillet
7. Stove – to provide the heat for searing and simmering all the ingredients

FAQ

Q: Can I use other types of chicken?

A: Sure, you can use thighs if you prefer darker meat though you may need to adjust the cooking time a bit.

Q: Do I need to marinate the chicken first?

A: No marinating required, just season with salt and pepper before searing and you're good to go.

Q: What can I substitute for heavy cream?

A: You can use half and half but the sauce won't be as thick, or try a mixture of milk and butter if you're in a pinch.

Q: Can I add other vegetables to the recipe?

A: Definitely, feel free to add mushrooms or even bell peppers to amp up the flavor.

Q: How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

A: The best tip is to use a meat thermometer and aim for an internal temp of 165°F because it ensures the chicken is cooked through.

Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Chicken breasts: If you cant find boneless skinless chicken breasts, you can try using boneless chicken thighs – they work really well too
Heavy cream: You can mix half & half with a little butter as a good substitute if you dont have heavy cream
Parmesan cheese: Pecorino Romano can work as a substitute if you prefer a sharper, saltier flavor
Chicken broth: If you dont have chicken broth handy, vegetable broth works just fine for most recipes
Sun dried tomatoes: You could swap them with oven roasted tomatoes that have been chopped up

Pro Tips

1. Let the chicken sit out for like 15-20 minutes before cooking so it cooks more evenly and gets that real nice, crispy sear
2. If you love garlic, add an extra clove in there after the chicken’s done searing because it really ups the flavor without overpowering it
3. Make sure you chop the sun dried tomatoes into smaller bits if you dont like having big chunks in your sauce, it helps spread the flavor around better
4. Always taste the sauce as you go and adjust the salt and pepper because sometimes the cream and cheese can mellow out the seasoning a bit