Tuscan Chicken Recipe

This is the kind of dinner that looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen when the reality is it came together in under 30 minutes on a Tuesday night. My college boys go absolutely crazy for this one and my whole family thinks it tastes better than anything we would order at an Italian restaurant.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe!

• Just $2.36 per serving — $14.15 total for a restaurant-quality dinner at home
• One skillet, easy cleanup
• Ready in under 30 minutes
• Completely versatile — serve over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread

My entire family loves this one pot recipe and even better served with your favorite side dishes to make a complete meal. If you have tried Marry Me Chicken and Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Recipe then you are going to love this Tuscan Chicken. If you prefer you can also make Crockpot Tuscan Chicken Recipe or Tuscan Chicken and Orzo Skillet Recipe.

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts — fillet horizontally so they are thinly sliced and cook evenly. Chicken thighs or tenders work as substitutes — adjust cook time accordingly
• Olive oil — for searing the chicken and sautéing the vegetables. Avocado oil also works at medium-high heat
• Italian seasoning — seasons the chicken before searing. Use store-bought or our Homemade Italian Seasoning Recipe for even more flavor
• Onion — diced and cooked until soft to build the base of the sauce
• Garlic, minced — the backbone of the creamy sauce. Use fresh minced for the best flavor
• Sun-dried tomatoes — drained and thinly sliced. Found in the condiment or Italian foods aisle at any regular grocery store — these are the ingredient that gives Tuscan chicken its signature bold flavor
• Baby spinach — stirred in at the end and wilted into the sauce. Kale works as a heartier substitute
• Heavy cream — creates the rich creamy sauce. Whole milk or half-and-half can be substituted but the sauce will be slightly thinner
• Parmesan cheese — whisked into the sauce for richness and depth. Use freshly grated for the smoothest melt

Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

How to Make Tuscan Chicken

Step 1 – Heat 2 teaspoons of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts to the skillet. 

Step 2 – Season the chicken with the Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Cook the chicken for 4 minutes on each side until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. 

Step 3 – Deglaze the hot skillet with water and scrape to remove any brown bites from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.

Step 4 – Add the remaining oil to the skillet and heat over medium high heat. Add in the diced onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onions are soft.

Step 5 – Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes. 

Step 6 – Add in the spinach and cook just until the spinach starts to wilt. 

Step 7 – Whisk in the heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese. Bring the mixture to a low heat simmer. 

Step 8 – Add the boneless skinless chicken breasts back to the skillet and allow the mixture to simmer for approximately 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and then the chicken is ready to serve and enjoy! 

Tips for Success

• Fillet the chicken evenly. Thin even pieces cook in about 4 minutes per side and stay juicy — thick uneven pieces dry out before the center is done
• Deglaze with broth instead of water. Chicken broth or a splash of white wine adds significantly more flavor to the sauce than water — use whichever you have on hand
• Do not rush the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Cooking them for the full 2 minutes before adding the cream develops their flavor and prevents the sauce from tasting flat
• Add cream off high heat. Reduce to a low simmer before adding the heavy cream — high heat can cause the cream to separate and curdle
• Adjust sauce consistency. If the sauce is too thick add a splash of cream or broth and stir until it reaches your preferred consistency

Variations Ideas

• Substitute chicken thighs for breasts — more budget-friendly and slightly juicier through the longer simmer
• Add sliced mushrooms, chopped zucchini, or cherry tomatoes alongside the onion for extra vegetables
• Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or lemon zest at the end for a bright citrus note
• Stir in 2 tablespoons of dry white wine when deglazing for a richer more complex sauce
• Use coconut cream for a dairy-free version — the flavor changes slightly but it still works beautifully
• Add fresh basil, oregano, or thyme for extra herby depth

What to Serve with Tuscan Chicken?

Tuscan Chicken is delicious served with many side dishes.

• Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes – You can serve the chicken and cream sauce over the top of the mashed potatoes or on the side.
• Pasta – Serve the chicken and gravy over the top of your favorite pasta such as spaghetti noodles, fettuccini, or penne pasta.
• Roasted Vegetables – For a low carb option serve the chicken with your favorite roasted vegetables such as Roasted Zucchini, Roasted Cauliflower, Parmesan Roasted Broccoli or Oven Roasted Asparagus.
• Rice – This creamy chicken dish is also delicious served over Instant pot White Rice Recipe, Cauliflower Rice or Microwave Brown Rice.
• Crusty Bread – Make sure to add a side of Homemade Garlic Bread or Garlic Bread Cheese Sticks to soak up all the gravy. For a low carb variation, try 90 Second Keto Bread.

Storage and Reheating Tips

• Storing – Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezing – You can freeze this mixture after it has cooled to room temperature. It is possible that the cream sauce will separate as it thaws.
• Reheating – Reheat the leftovers in the microwave. You can also reheat on the stovetop in a sauce pan.