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Creamy Garlic Butter Tuscan Chicken Recipe Easy One-Pan Dinner

creamy garlic butter tuscan chicken - featured image

A quick and flavorful one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breasts in a rich, creamy garlic butter sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. Perfect for busy weeknights and cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 34 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (preferably packed in oil)
  • 2 cups baby spinach (fresh or thawed if frozen)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme mix)
  • Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add chicken breasts and cook 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C). Remove chicken and set aside, tented with foil.
  4. Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the pan. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding browning.
  5. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes to release flavor.
  6. Add baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
  7. Slowly pour in heavy cream while stirring. Let sauce simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  8. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, dried Italian herbs, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Return chicken breasts to the pan, nestling them into the sauce. Spoon sauce over chicken and simmer together for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors and warm through.
  10. Remove from heat and let rest for a minute. Serve hot with your favorite sides.

Notes

Use room temperature chicken breasts for even cooking. Avoid browning garlic to prevent bitterness. If sauce thickens too much, loosen with a splash of chicken broth or milk. For juicier chicken, swap breasts for thighs and adjust cooking time. Dairy-free option: substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Serve with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, garlic butter noodles, or a green salad. Leftovers keep up to 3 days refrigerated; reheat gently on stovetop to maintain sauce texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan chicken, creamy garlic butter chicken, one-pan dinner, easy chicken recipe, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, weeknight dinner