Description
This Tuscan Skillet Chicken features perfectly seasoned boneless skinless chicken breasts cooked in a creamy, garlicky sun-dried tomato sauce with fresh spinach. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s an ideal weeknight Italian-inspired main course that pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or cauliflower mash for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1.5 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Smoked paprika to taste
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- ⅓ cup white wine
- ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, julienned or thinly sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 3 cups baby spinach
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides evenly with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika to infuse flavorful aromas.
- Sear Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken in the pan and cook for approximately 4 to 5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Once seared, remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Sauté the minced garlic and diced onion over medium heat for several minutes until translucent and soft, releasing their fragrant flavors.
- Create Sauce: Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, white wine, heavy cream, and chicken broth. Mix well and bring the sauce to a simmer.
- Reduce Sauce: Lower the heat and allow the sauce to gently simmer so it thickens slightly. Once reduced, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until fully incorporated, creating a rich creamy texture.
- Finish Cooking Chicken: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, cover, and cook over low heat for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, ensuring the chicken is cooked through in the center.
- Add Spinach: Gently fold the baby spinach into the sauce and chicken. Let it wilt naturally from the residual heat.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot over your choice of pasta, rice, or cauliflower mash for a delightful meal.
Notes
- For a dairy-free variation, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and omit Parmesan or use a vegan cheese alternative.
- White wine can be replaced with additional chicken broth if preferred.
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for even cooking; pounding the chicken slightly can help if pieces are thick.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
