Name: Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 4 (6-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided; 4 garlic cloves, minced; ¼ cup finely chopped yellow onion; ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced; 2 cups baby spinach; 1½ cups heavy cream; ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan

This dish is pure comfort on a plate—rich, creamy, and bursting with those lovely Tuscan flavors. The Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe is simple enough for a weeknight but fancy enough to impress anyone at your dinner table. Once you make it, trust me, it’ll become a staple.

A white pan holds four large, pale chicken pieces, each partly covered with a creamy orange sauce. Mixed in the sauce are bright red strips of sun-dried tomatoes and deep green spinach leaves, spread evenly around and on top of the chicken. The chicken has some black pepper specks, and the sauce looks smooth and thick, filling the pan around the pieces. The background is a white marbled surface with a light gray cloth partially visible under the pan. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I still remember the first time I made this creamy Tuscan chicken—how the smell of garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan filled the kitchen. It’s one of those recipes that feels fancy but takes no time at all. It’s comfort food with a Mediterranean twist that’s as satisfying as it gets.

Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these pantry staples already, which means you can whip it up anytime.
One-Pan Wonder: Less cleanup means more time enjoying your meal – and maybe a glass of wine.
Flavor-Packed Sauce: Creamy, garlicky, with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach – it’s a sauce worth savoring.
Versatile: It’s perfect on pasta, mashed potatoes, or even a bed of cauliflower rice if you’re watching carbs.

The image shows a white pan filled with four cooked chicken pieces sitting in a rich, thick, creamy orange sauce. The sauce is mixed with dark green spinach leaves and red sun-dried tomato strips scattered evenly across the surface. The chicken pieces have a slight golden brown color on top with visible pepper and herbs. The pan handle is partly visible at the bottom with a textured gray cloth underneath, and the surface beneath the pan is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays a delicious role in creating a well-balanced, rich dish. The Italian seasoning adds herbs without overpowering, while sun-dried tomatoes bring a tangy sweetness that complements the creamy sauce perfectly.

Flat lay of four boneless skinless chicken breasts with a light seasoning of dried Italian herbs, a small white ceramic bowl of mixed dried oregano, thyme, basil, and rosemary, a small white ceramic bowl of kosher salt, a small white ceramic bowl of freshly ground black pepper, a small white ceramic bowl of extra virgin olive oil, four fresh garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl of finely chopped yellow onion, a small white ceramic bowl holding thinly sliced sun-dried tomatoes, a handful of fresh baby spinach leaves, a small white ceramic bowl filled with heavy cream, and a small white ceramic bowl with freshly grated parmesan cheese placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breasts: Using boneless, skinless keeps things quick to cook and easy to eat.
Italian seasoning: A classic blend that saves you mixing individual herbs and packs authentic flavor.
Kosher salt: Enhances the natural flavors and helps tenderize the chicken slightly.
Black pepper: Adds just the right amount of heat and depth.
Extra virgin olive oil: For a rich, fruity sear on your chicken; don’t skip the quality here.
Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic is non-negotiable here for that punch of aroma and taste.
Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and a base for the sauce; finely chopped so it melts into the dish.
Sun-dried tomatoes: These bring vibrancy, acidity, and chewiness, balancing the creamy sauce.
Baby spinach: Just enough greens to brighten and add freshness without overpowering.
Heavy cream: The heart of the sauce making it luxuriously creamy; you can swap for coconut cream if dairy-free.
Parmesan cheese: Adds sharp, salty layers and helps thicken the sauce deliciously.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking the creamy Tuscan chicken depending on what I have or my mood that day. You can easily make it your own by adding different veggies or swapping proteins, so feel free to experiment.

Mushrooms: If I have some handy, I toss sliced mushrooms in when cooking the onions – it adds an earthy depth I adore.
Chicken thighs: For juicier meat, I sometimes swap breasts for boneless thighs—they stay tender and soak up the sauce beautifully.
Dairy-free: I’ve had success with coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and nutritional yeast for parmesan—it’s surprisingly tasty.
Spicy kick: When I’m feeling bold, a pinch of red pepper flakes kicked up the heat just right without overpowering.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Seasoning and searing the chicken for that golden crust

I pat the chicken breasts dry to get that perfect sear, then coat both sides evenly with Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Heating olive oil to medium, I sear each breast 3 to 4 minutes per side until a gorgeous golden crust forms. This step locks in juices and adds flavor, so don’t rush it. Once seared, I move the chicken to a plate—don’t toss that flavorful brown bits in the pan; we’re using those in the sauce!

Step 2: Building the sauce starting with onions and garlic

In the same skillet, I add a little more olive oil if needed and gently sauté the chopped onion for about 2 to 3 minutes until soft and translucent. Next up, the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes join the party, cooking just another minute until their aromas bloom. This layer of flavors is what makes the sauce sing.

Step 3: Adding spinach, cream, and parmesan to finish the sauce

Throw in the baby spinach, stirring until it just begins to wilt—it only takes about a minute. Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle freshly grated parmesan, stirring the mixture together and bringing it gently to a simmer. This helps the sauce thicken slightly and meld all the flavors into that luscious creamy goodness.

Step 4: Returning the chicken and simmering it all together

Finally, the chicken goes back into the skillet, nestled in the creamy sauce. I let it simmer for about 5 minutes until the chicken is heated through and the sauce is thickened just right. At this point, your kitchen will smell utterly amazing—get ready to dig in!

Top Tip

Having made this recipe dozens of times, I’ve nailed a few tricks that really help get it dinner-table ready quickly and deliciously. These tips made a real difference in my results, and I’m confident you’ll find them helpful too.

Dry the chicken well: Moisture on the surface makes it tough to get a golden sear—pat it dry with paper towels first.
Don’t rush the simmer: Letting the sauce bubble gently thickens it naturally and helps flavors meld better.
Use freshly grated parmesan: It melts better and adds a creamier texture than pre-grated stuff.
Save the pan drippings: Those browned bits on the bottom of the skillet are pure flavor gold—scrape them up when cooking the veggies and sauce.

How to Serve Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe

Creamy Tuscan Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually finish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and a little fresh brightness to cut through the richness. Sometimes, I grate a touch more parmesan on top, which is totally decadent and irresistible.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides with this creamy Tuscan chicken are buttery garlic mashed potatoes or simple al dente pasta to soak up all that luscious sauce. If I want to stay lighter, I pair it with roasted asparagus or a crisp green salad for balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner guests, I sometimes plate each chicken breast over a swirl of polenta or creamy risotto, ladling the sauce over with care. A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a few sun-dried tomatoes placed on top makes it look restaurant-worthy without extra fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover creamy Tuscan chicken in an airtight container in the fridge—it lasts well for up to 3 days. Just remember the sauce thickens when chilled, so you might want to stir in a splash of cream or milk when reheating to loosen it back up.

Freezing

Freezing works if you're short on time—just pack in freezer-safe containers. I’ve noticed the spinach changes texture a bit, but the sauce and chicken reheat nicely once thawed overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

I prefer reheating this gently on the stove over low heat to avoid curdling the cream. Adding a tablespoon or two of cream or broth helps maintain that silky sauce consistency and keeps the chicken juicy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What can I use instead of heavy cream?

For a dairy-free version of this creamy Tuscan chicken recipe, coconut cream works beautifully and adds a subtle sweetness without altering the dish’s character. You can also try cashew cream or a blend of almond milk and a thickening agent like cornstarch, though results will vary slightly in texture.

How do I prevent the chicken from drying out?

The key is to sear the chicken over medium heat just until it’s golden on both sides, then finish cooking it gently in the sauce. Avoid overcooking by simmering for about 5 minutes after adding the sauce. Using boneless skinless chicken breasts that are evenly sized helps cook them uniformly.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can prepare the sauce and sear the chicken ahead of time, then combine and reheat when ready to serve. The flavors actually deepen after sitting. Just follow proper storage instructions and gently reheat to maintain that creamy texture.

What should I serve with creamy Tuscan chicken?

This recipe is wonderful served over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice to soak up the creamy sauce. For lighter options, steamed veggies or a crisp salad work beautifully. I often add crusty bread on the side for sopping up every last bit.

Final Thoughts

This creamy Tuscan chicken recipe holds a special place in my kitchen and heart—because it’s reliably delicious, quick to make, and endlessly flexible. Once you play around with it a bit, I’m sure you’ll find your own favorite twists to keep it coming back to your table time and again. Go ahead, give it a try and enjoy the creamy, savory magic yourself!