Chicken Florentine
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My creamy chicken Florentine recipe combines tender chicken breast pieces simmered in a rich Florentine sauce with wilted spinach. Ready in 20 minutes; it’s a perfect weeknight meal!
I have no shortage of creamy chicken breast recipes, and after my recent trip to Italy, my family has requested chicken Florentine at least once a week. It sounds fancy, looks fancy, but is deceptively easy to make.
Chicken Florentine features thin chicken breasts simmered in a creamy, cheesy sauce with spinach. With a simple yet elegant flavor and balance of rich textures, this dish works equally well on a random Tuesday as it does on your special date night (I do both).
Two things make or break this dish- overcooking the chicken and rushing the sauce. Nail both, and the rest takes care of itself- I’ll walk you through it with my step-by-step video below.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Surprisingly low in carbs. While I wouldn’t go out on a limb and call this a ‘healthy’ recipe, it is shockingly low in carbs, with only 6 grams per serving.
- One bowl and one skillet. Cleanup takes about as long as the cooking.
- Ready in 20 minutes. And that includes all the prep time, too.
- Simple ingredients. Like marry me chicken, this dish comes together with kitchen staples and basic pantry items.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“So Yummy! My family loved it!” – Christina
Key Ingredients
Here’s what goes into Florentine chicken, along with my kitchen notes. Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
- Chicken breasts. Skinless chicken breast fillets. You will need just two fillets, which you will slice in half to make four servings.
- Salt and pepper. To sprinkle on the outside of the chicken.
- Almond flour OR all-purpose flour. Do not use almond meal, as it will separate when combined with the Florentine sauce. Standard all-purpose flour works perfectly if you’re not watching carbs.
- Parmesan cheese. Freshly grated from a wedge. The shelf-stable kind won’t melt properly, leaving a grainy texture in the sauce.
- Olive oil. To pan fry the chicken before adding the sauce.
- Florentine sauce. Butter creates a roux base, garlic adds depth, heavy cream gives richness, and fresh spinach wilts down to almost nothing but adds color and nutrients. You’ll also need chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and more Parmesan cheese.
How to make chicken Florentine
Step 1- Slice the chicken breasts lengthways, leaving you with four thin breasts. Pound them and sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Once seasoned, dip them in the almond flour and parmesan cheese.
Step 2- cook the chicken. Place a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil, and, once hot, add the seasoned chicken breasts. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove the chicken from the heat.
Step 3- Make the cream sauce. Add the extra butter to the pan, along with the garlic, and cook for 30 seconds, then stir in the chicken broth and Italian seasoning. Let it simmer for 5-6 minutes or until it has noticeably reduced. Add the cream and bring it to a boil, then add the parmesan cheese and spinach.
Step 4- Assemble. Add the chicken back into the pan and let it simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens, then serve warm.
What can I serve with this dish?
This recipe makes a hearty dish all on its own, but it’s even better when paired with an equally satisfying side dish. For lighter sides, try air fryer frozen green beans or air fryer zucchini. For heartier sides, try cauliflower mashed potatoes, basmati rice, or couscous. It also works wonders with a salad, like Brussels sprouts salad or rice salad.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Do not overcook the chicken, as it will continue to cook as it is resting. It will also continue to cook when you add it to the Florentine sauce. Once it reaches about 150°F, remove it from the pan.
- Don’t rush the sauce. Once you add the cream, let it reduce for at least 3 minutes before adding the spinach. Rushing this step will give you a noticeably thinner sauce rather than a silky one.
- Serve this hot, as the Florentine sauce congeals as it cools down.
Tested recipe variations
For an even cheesier flavor, sprinkle with extra parmesan cheese on top.
Add mix-ins. While I think this dish is pretty darn flavorful as is, sometimes I like to spice it up with sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, or capers.
Add wine. When I want to go the extra mile, I’ll skip the broth in favor of a dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc) instead.
How to reheat chicken Florentine without drying it out
To store: Leftover chicken Florentine can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 5 days. I don’t recommend separating the sauce from the chicken, as it imparts even more flavor overnight.
To freeze: Place the chicken and the sauce in an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to two months.
Reheating: Either microwave the chicken with the sauce in 30-second spurts until hot, or in a skillet with 1 1/2 tablespoons of water (or milk).
Creamy Chicken Florentine
Video
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup almond flour or all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
For the Florentine sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach loosely packed
Instructions
- Slice the two chicken breasts lengthways to form four, thin pieces of chicken. Season the four chicken pieces with salt and pepper and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the almond flour and parmesan cheese. Dip each chicken fillet in the flour mixture, ensuring everything is covered.
- Add the oil and one tablespoon of the butter into a skillet and place it over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden on the outside. Remove the chicken from the heat.
- Add the extra butter to the pan, along with the garlic, and cook for 30 seconds, before adding the chicken broth and Italian seasoning. Let it simmer for 5-6 minutes, or until it has noticeably reduced. Add the cream and bring it to a boil, then add the parmesan cheese and spinach.
- Add the chicken back into the pan and let it simmer for 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
- Serve the chicken and the florentine sauce immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently asked questions
Florentine-style refers to dishes prepared in the style of Florence, Italy- the defining characteristic is spinach, which is always present. The creamy sauce is traditional but it’s the spinach that makes it technically ‘Florentine’.
More Italian-inspired chicken recipes to try
- Chicken Caprese– Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil on pan-seared chicken- My summer dinner staple.
- Chicken Milanese– Thin, crispy breaded chicken that I serve with an arugula salad like they do in Milan.
- Chicken piccata– The lemon caper sauce is the star, and it comes together in the same pan as the chicken.
- Tuscan chicken– The creamy spinach sauce transforms simple pan-fried chicken breast.
- Chicken marsala– My partner’s favorite Italian chicken dish, and the one I make most for guests.
- Parmesan crusted chicken– Unlike other Parmesan chicken recipes, mine has a light and flavorful crumb that doesn’t leave you feeling heavy.
My Husband loved it!!
Easy to put together.
Thank you
I love to hear that, Nagahyah! Thanks for taking the time to leave a lovely review and rating 🙂
Quick, easy and delicious! The only way to sneak in spinach without my husband complaining lol
I love that, Sarah! Need to hide in some spinach and a creamy sauce every time haha!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it- If you haven’t tried my stuffed chicken breast yet, I recommend that for a sneaky spinach chicken dinner 🙂
This was AWESOME, and another recipe that’s quick to make. Love that.
One substitution: instead of flour, I used Parmesan breadcrumbs.
Rave reviews from the fam. Thanks Arman!
Thanks so much, Kat. I appreciate you taking the time to leave a lovely review. I’ll have to try this using parmesan breadcrumbs- what a delicious idea! 🙂
It taste great and is easy to make.
Thanks, Angela. I made this last weekend and served it over egg noodles (I usually do potatoes) and it was SO good. I really recommend trying that!
This was perfect, everyone went back for seconds.
Easy and super yummy, my very picky kids loved it!
I haven’t tried this recipe yet, but I found this invitation for a comment and could not resist. This is a note to say THANK YOU for this exceptional website full of Keto diet recipes. I have used so many of your recipes, printed a bunch for a quick access in my kitchen. It just seems to me that I should express my gratitude for your hard work and for selflessly making them available for anyone without requesting anything in return. 👏 Writing, sorting, testing and recording recipes is actually hard work, fun – yes, but still a ton of work. Many “hundreds” 😉 of years ago I did a little of this myself, so I do speak from experience.
This dish always turns out great! It’s easy to make and doesn’t take long! Yummy!
Excellent and easy! A quick change could be to add a little bacon. Not needed, but a option. We had ours with wild rice and blistered green beans
We cooked the chicken in the air Frye, then added it earlier to to the sauce. It was all delish! Thanks for the recipe. R
Perfect.
So this is actually Italian recipe? I know they use lots of cheese. Am I right?
Holy cow! Can’t believe how good this turned out!
This was crazy fast and easy. Family asked to make sure I saved the recipe. I wouldn’t have thought about using Almond flour for the coating. It is nice to have that gluten free substitution.
Looks very different style of chicken. Thanks for your creation!
So Yummy! My family loved it!
Thank you, Christina!
Best chicken florentine recipe ever!
Tried this and it turned out awesome… a dish that “feels” like you did a lot more prep than you actually did. Goes in the “it’s a keeper” stack.
Delicious and easy to make!!
Unbelievable Flavor! Perfect meal for 2!
Thanks, Ann!
This is the best creamy chicken recipe and it is not complicated. We make it often. Sometimes I add mushrooms or a small can of diced green chilies. Also, I have used frozen spinach and added more to have a type of warm spinach dip with the left over sauce that I thicken and add more parmesan cheese.
Hi Leanne, that’s such an amazing idea! A great way to save the leftover sauce. So glad you’re enjoying the recipe. Let us know if you try any others!
This super delicious! It’s not always easy to find low carb dinners that my kids like, which means, no pasta, rice or potatoes. I served it with cauliflower mash, which tasted great. And cauliflower is pretty much a super food, so great nutrition. Thank you again!
Délicieuse!
Amazing only issue is the almond flour doesn’t get the chicken crispy. Try normal flour it makes it much better! Wow this was one of the best meals my wife and I have cooked together. Thank you!
this is next on my list. thank you for the recipes, you have inspired me to stick to my low carb diet.
So easy, yummy and filling. Adding to my dinner rotation!
My family loved this and it was so easy to make. I did substitute all purpose flour for almond flour and served it with pasta so it wasn’t low carb.
Made this for dinner tonight and Eve your loved it! Added some cauliflower for extra veggies and even my 10 year loved it! Will def make it again!
It looks Very delicios, i will have it today
It looks Very delicios, i will try it
Yummy!!! Family Approved.
I am diabetic and always looking for friendly recipes. Tried this dish yesterday. It was absolutely delicious and easy!! Definitely a keeper. Looking forward to trying many more recipes!!
OMG!! We haven’t been disappointed with any of your recipe content…but this one is OVER THE TOP WONDERFUL!!!
Thank you, Deneil!
I made this Chicken Florentine one-night last week. It was a quick and easy weeknight meal. It was also delicious! My mom, who is pickier than a 2-year-old and doesn’t like creamed anything, said, “This is really good.” with a note of surprise in her voice.
I love that!!
Love this recipe. My 14 year old son is a Type 1 Diabetic so I’m always looking for yummy low carb dinner ideas. Even my picky 6 year old daughter loves it. It’s delicious and so easy to make. It pairs perfectly with a garden salad.
Thanks for the feedback, Amanda! Wishing your son (and daughter!) the best of health!
This was really simple and tasty! Thank you!🙏🏽
Is there a vegan or non diary heavy cream that can be used in this recipe?
Sure! Try plant based double cream or full fat coconut cream.
Is it 2 or 4 chicken breasts used in the recipe? It shows 4 in the photos and 4 servings, but say’s 2 in the ingridents list.
Everyone in my family of 8 absolutely loved this dish. I was scared to try new things, but I am so glad I did and so is my family. This recipe is step by step and thank you for the pictures I am so a visual person. It was super easy to follow and make.