Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes! Chicken thighs are juicier and work well in this recipe. Just adjust the cooking time slightly, as thighs may take a few extra minutes to cook through.

What can I use instead of heavy cream?

You can substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free option or use half-and-half for a lighter version. However, this may slightly alter the thickness of the sauce.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The safest way to check is with a meat thermometer—chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. If you don’t have one, slice into the thickest part; there should be no pink inside, and the juices should run clear.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can cook the chicken and sauce in advance, then reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or cream to maintain the sauce's consistency.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Name: Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Ingredients: 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1 teaspoon sea salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 cup sundried tomatoes, chopped; 1 ½ cups heavy cream; 1 cup chicken broth; ½ cup grated parmesan cheese; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 3 tablespoons white cooking wine (or extra chicken broth); ½ teaspoon dried thyme; ½ teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; Juice of ½ lemon; 2 cups fresh kale or spinach, chopped

Description

This Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a rich and flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a garlicky, parmesan-infused cream sauce with sundried tomatoes and fresh greens. Perfect for a quick and healthy meal, this dish is beginner-friendly and pairs well with pasta, rice, or crusty bread for an easy yet elegant dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoons olive oil

Sauce

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup sundried tomatoes, chopped
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 cup chicken broth
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon tomato paste
3 tablespoons white cooking wine (or extra chicken broth)
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Juice of ½ lemon
2 cups fresh kale or spinach, chopped

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Instructions

Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. This helps create a flavorful crust when searing.
Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this stage, as it will finish cooking in the sauce. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Sauté the Garlic and Tomatoes: Reduce the heat to medium and add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the sundried tomatoes and cook for another minute to release their flavor.
Prepare the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, white cooking wine, and tomato paste, stirring to deglaze the pan and lift any browned bits from the bottom. Slowly add the heavy cream while stirring continuously.
Melt the Parmesan: Sprinkle in the grated parmesan cheese and stir until fully melted. Add the thyme, oregano, and Italian seasoning, letting the sauce simmer gently until slightly thickened.
Return the Chicken: Place the seared chicken breasts back into the pan, spooning sauce over them. Reduce heat to low and cover. Let the chicken simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until fully cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
Add the Greens and Finish: In the final minutes of cooking, stir in the chopped kale or spinach until wilted. Squeeze in the fresh lemon juice and stir once more before serving.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use dairy-free parmesan.
If the sauce is too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce.
Pair this dish with mashed potatoes, pasta, or crusty bread for a hearty meal.
Recipe Informatio

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: One-pan skillet
Cuisine: Italian-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
Calories: Calories: 610
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 890mg
Fat: 42g
Saturated Fat: 22g
Unsaturated Fat: 17g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 45g
Cholesterol: 190mg