This Tuscan Chicken is a simple, creamy weeknight dinner you can make in about 20 minutes. I used chicken here, but the same sauce works beautifully with shrimp, salmon, or a plant-based protein. Serve it tossed with pasta, rice, or alongside roasted vegetables for a satisfying, balanced meal. Inspired by Olive Garden-style flavors, it features sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a rich cream sauce.
About This Recipe
This Tuscan Chicken is one of my go-to dinners when I want something comforting without a lot of fuss. The sauce is ultra creamy, brightened by sun-dried tomatoes and wilted spinach, and finished with freshly grated Parmesan for depth and umami. It shares similarities with the popular “Marry Me Chicken” style dishes—both are creamy and comforting—though this version leans more into tomato and herb flavors.
It’s fast enough for a weeknight but also holds up well for meal prep. Make a double batch and portion it with pasta or rice for easy lunches. The recipe is flexible: swap in shrimp or salmon and reduce cook time as needed, or use frozen spinach (fully thawed and drained) if fresh isn’t available.
Key Ingredients
- Olive oil – for searing the chicken and sautéing aromatics.
- Chicken breasts – thin filets cook quickly; slice large breasts in half lengthwise.
- Flour, salt & pepper – a light dredge gives the chicken a golden exterior and helps thicken the sauce slightly.
- Onion & garlic – sautéed for a savory base.
- Heavy cream – creates the silky sauce.
- Fresh spinach – wilts into the sauce; frozen can be used if fully thawed and drained.
- Sun-dried tomatoes – add sweet, tangy tomato flavor; thinly sliced is ideal.
- Italian seasoning – a simple herb blend to lift the sauce.
- Parmesan cheese – freshly grated melts more smoothly and adds savory richness.
Instructions
STEP 1: In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge the chicken breasts so they are evenly coated.
STEP 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and sear 2–3 minutes per side until golden. Transfer the chicken to a plate; it will finish cooking in the sauce.
STEP 3: Reduce heat to medium. If the pan is dry, add another tablespoon of oil. Sauté the onion 2–3 minutes until softened, then add the garlic and cook another minute until fragrant.
STEP 4: Pour in the heavy cream, then add the spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Return the chicken to the pan and cook 3–5 minutes more until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly. Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan. Serve immediately.
Recipe
Tuscan Chicken
You’ll get pan-seared chicken in a rich, creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and wilted spinach. Ready in about 20 minutes, perfect for a fast weeknight meal or meal prep.
Prep time: 5 mins · Cook time: 15 mins · Total time: 20 mins · Servings: 4
Ingredients
- ¼ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large chicken breasts (sliced in half lengthwise to make 4 filets)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Whisk the flour with salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Dredge each chicken breast until coated.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken 2–3 minutes per side until golden. Transfer to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. If needed, add another tablespoon of oil. Sauté the onion 2–3 minutes, then add the garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Add the heavy cream, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Simmer gently, then return the chicken to the pan and cook 3–5 minutes until heated through and sauce thickens slightly.
- Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan until melted. Serve with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
Nutrition information is calculated using ingredient databases and should be considered an estimate.
Did you make this? Let me know how it turned out in the comments.