If you’re on the hunt for nice chicken dinners that are both indulgent and healthy, look no further than this Creamy Tuscan Chicken recipe. With its sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, spinach, and creamy parmesan sauce, this dish is bursting with Mediterranean flavor. Whether you’re planning a cozy family meal or want to impress dinner guests, this recipe fits perfectly into your chicken dinner menu ideas list.
From Tuscan Chicken Breast to Creamy Chicken Tenderloin Recipes, this dish is versatile, delicious, and incredibly easy to make in under 40 minutes. We’ll also show you how to modify this recipe to make Chicken Toscana, or even a version of Tuscan Chicken and Shrimp for a surf-and-turf twist.
🧄 What is Creamy Tuscan Chicken?
Creamy Tuscan Chicken is an Italian-inspired skillet dish featuring pan-seared chicken breasts (or tenderloins), bathed in a rich, creamy sauce made with garlic, parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes. Wilted spinach adds a vibrant green touch and helps balance the richness of the sauce.
This dish is sometimes called Chicken Toscana, taking inspiration from flavors of Tuscany, Italy. It has become wildly popular due to its satisfying, restaurant-style taste and one-pan convenience. It’s one of those healthy saucy chicken recipes that feels indulgent but is surprisingly balanced when paired with a side of veggies or cauliflower rice.
🍗 Ingredients for Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Here’s what you’ll need to bring this dish to life. Most ingredients are pantry staples, and there’s room for customizations too.
Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or chicken tenderloins)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for flavor depth)
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil, drained)
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream (or use half & half for a lighter option)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2–3 cups fresh spinach
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
🧑🍳 How To Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken
This creamy chicken tenderloin recipe is ready in just 30–40 minutes and made in one skillet. Here’s how to make it from start to finish.
Step 1: Prepare and Season the Chicken
- Pat the chicken breasts dry using paper towels. This helps them sear nicely.
- Season both sides with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
- If using large breasts, slice them in half horizontally to make cutlets or use chicken tenderloins for quicker cooking.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chicken and sear for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 75°C).
- Remove chicken and set aside on a plate. Cover loosely with foil.
Step 3: Sauté Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat slightly and add the minced garlic.
- Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, then add chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
- Cook for 2 minutes, stirring to prevent sticking.
Step 4: Make the Creamy Sauce
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine.
- Simmer for 4–5 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken.
- Stir in the parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
Step 5: Add Spinach
- Add the fresh spinach and stir until wilted, about 1–2 minutes.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt or more parmesan as needed.
Step 6: Return Chicken to Skillet
- Nestle the chicken breasts back into the sauce.
- Spoon some sauce over each piece and let everything simmer for 2–3 more minutes.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.
🍽️ What to Serve With Tuscan Chicken
This rich and creamy dish pairs beautifully with sides that can soak up the sauce or offer contrast. Here are some ideas:
Starchy Sides:
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Garlic butter rice
- Pasta (penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti)
- Quinoa or couscous
- Crusty bread or dinner rolls
Low-Carb Options:
- Steamed cauliflower or cauliflower mash
- Zucchini noodles
- Roasted broccoli
- Sautéed green beans
If you’re making Chicken Cutlets with Spinach, this is an excellent meal to serve with or without pasta, depending on your preference.
🧑🍳 Tips for the Best Tuscan Chicken
- Don’t overcook the chicken: Use a meat thermometer to avoid drying out the chicken.
- Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil: These are softer, richer, and easier to sauté.
- Deglaze the pan with broth after searing the chicken to capture all the flavorful bits.
- Make it dairy-free: Substitute the cream with coconut cream and omit the cheese, or use plant-based cheese.
🐔 Variations on Creamy Tuscan Chicken
This dish is very customizable. Here are some fun variations:
1. Tuscan Chicken and Shrimp
Craving something extra indulgent? Add shrimp!
- After cooking the chicken, sear peeled, deveined shrimp in the same skillet for 1–2 minutes per side.
- Remove the shrimp, proceed with the sauce, then return both chicken and shrimp to the pan before serving.
2. Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Turn this dish into a full pasta meal:
- Boil 8 ounces of pasta (penne or fettuccine).
- Slice the cooked chicken and stir it into the sauce along with the pasta.
- Toss everything together and serve with extra parmesan.
3. Healthy Tuscan Chicken
Want a lighter version? Try these swaps:
- Use half-and-half or unsweetened almond milk instead of cream.
- Replace parmesan with nutritional yeast or a reduced-fat cheese.
- Use chicken tenderloins or cutlets for leaner portions.
🥣 Storage and Reheating
Storage:
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating:
- Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or milk to loosen the sauce.
- Avoid microwaving, as it may split the sauce.
Freezing:
- Not ideal due to the cream-based sauce which may separate upon thawing. If you must, freeze only the cooked chicken and make the sauce fresh.
📝 Nutritional Info (Per Serving, approx.)
- Calories: 420–550 kcal
- Protein: 38g
- Carbs: 7g
- Fat: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
Note: Nutrition varies based on portion size and optional ingredients.
💡 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-skillet meal = easy cleanup
- Elegant yet simple = perfect for guests or weeknights
- Versatile = pairs well with carbs, veggies, or pasta
- Meal-prep friendly = great for storing and reheating
- Packed with flavor = creamy, garlicky, and cheesy with pops of tangy sun-dried tomato
🔄 Recipe Summary
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Season and sear chicken |
| 2 | Sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes |
| 3 | Deglaze and simmer with cream and parmesan |
| 4 | Add spinach to wilt |
| 5 | Return chicken and simmer |
| 6 | Garnish and serve |
📌 Final Thoughts
Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a go-to dish when you want something hearty, wholesome, and luxurious all at once. Whether you’re planning chicken cutlets with spinach, a full chicken Toscana pasta dinner, or an upscale twist with Tuscan chicken and shrimp, this recipe gives you endless options for creating memorable meals.
For those collecting Ti food recipes (TikTok-inspired or trending), this one hits all the marks: saucy, share-worthy, and packed with bold flavors.
