If you need a dinner that feels restaurant-quality but fits into a busy weeknight, this Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken is exactly what you’re looking for.
Golden-seared chicken breasts are simmered in a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach. It’s bold, comforting, and ready in just 30 minutes — all in one pan.
This is the kind of meal that tastes like it took hours, but comes together quickly with the right ingredients and a few dependable kitchen tools.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in 30 minutes
- Made in one skillet
- Creamy, savory, and full of flavor
- Perfect for busy weeknights
- Pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or vegetables
Equipment You’ll Need
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through the links above, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
You don’t need fancy equipment — just reliable basics that make cooking faster and easier.
- 12-inch skillet – I use this 12-inch skillet because it holds heat evenly and gives the chicken a beautiful golden crust.
- Sharp chef’s knife – A quality knife like this chef’s knife makes slicing chicken and chopping spinach effortless.
- Cutting board – I prep everything on this durable cutting board, which is sturdy and easy to clean.
- Measuring cups and spoons – This measuring cups and spoons set keeps ingredient measurements precise and consistent.
- Tongs – These kitchen tongs make flipping the chicken simple without piercing it.
- Instant-read thermometer – An instant-read meat thermometer ensures your chicken reaches 165°F without overcooking.
Using dependable tools speeds up prep time — which is exactly what Swift Skillet is about.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish (optional)
How to Make Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken
1. Season the Chicken
Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. Sear Until Golden
Heat olive oil in your skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Remove and set aside.
A heavy skillet helps create that flavorful crust that builds depth in the sauce.
3. Sauté Garlic
Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute to release their flavor.
5. Build the Sauce
Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
6. Add Cream
Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
7. Thicken with Parmesan
Add Parmesan cheese and cook 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens.
8. Add Spinach
Stir in spinach and cook until wilted, about 1–2 minutes.
9. Finish
Return chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over the top. Simmer 3–5 minutes.
10. Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle with parsley or basil and serve warm.
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
- Pound chicken breasts to even thickness for even cooking.
- Don’t rush the sear — color equals flavor.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for smoother melting.
- If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of broth.
What to Serve With It
- Pasta
- Mashed potatoes
- Rice
- Roasted vegetables
- Crusty bread
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat. Add a splash of broth or cream if needed.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 520–560
- Protein: 42g
- Fat: 38g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
Nutrition values are estimates and may vary.
Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 c sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- 1 c chicken broth
- 1 c heavy cream
- 1/2 c freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 c fresh spinach
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5–6 minutes per side until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and cook 1 minute.
- Pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from the pan.
- Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and cook 3–4 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted (1–2 minutes).
- Return chicken to skillet. Spoon sauce over top and simmer 3–5 minutes.
- Garnish with parsley or basil and serve warm.
Notes
Ingredient Notes
Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless works best. Pound them to even thickness for even cooking.Sun-dried tomatoes: Use oil-packed for extra flavor.
Heavy cream: Creates the rich, creamy Tuscan sauce.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated melts better than pre-shredded. This creamy chicken pairs beautifully with:
- Pasta
- Mashed potatoes
- Steamed rice
- Roasted vegetables
- Crusty bread
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
- Don’t overcrowd the pan while searing.
- Let the sauce simmer gently — boiling can cause separation.
- If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of chicken broth.
- For extra flavor, add a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
Easy Variations
- Low Carb: Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
- Spicy: Add extra red pepper flakes.
- Mushroom Version: Add sliced mushrooms when sautéing garlic.
- Lighter Option: Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat:Warm gently on the stove over low heat. Add a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.
