Tuscan Chicken

8 comments

5 from 70 votes
Jump to RecipeJump to Video

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

My creamy Tuscan chicken recipe features juicy chicken simmered in a rich and creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. Ready in 10 minutes with multiple cooking methods!

Need more Italian chicken recipes? Try my marry me chicken, chicken Florentine, and chicken piccata next. 

creamy Tuscan chicken.

My family loves it when I make my famous Tuscan-inspired chicken. And me, well, I love any recipe that wins me brownie points with the family. 

Named after Tuscany, a region in central Italy beloved for its hearty cuisine, this recipe features chicken fillets pan-seared until crisp, then simmered in an aromatic cream sauce alongside sundried tomatoes, spinach–and heaps of garlic.

Table of Contents
  1. Why I love this recipe
  2. Ingredients needed
  3. How to make Tuscan chicken
  4. Alternative cooking methods
  5. Arman’s recipe tips
  6. Storage instructions
  7. Frequently asked questions
  8. More easy chicken dinners
  9. Creamy Tuscan Chicken (Recipe Card)

Why I love this recipe

  • It’s a one-pot meal. So clean-up is done well before dinner’s ready. 
  • Deceptively healthy. The whole recipe has a whopping ½ cup of heavy cream, making this a fairly high-protein, low-carb dish. 
  • An easy weeknight dinner option. From prep to plate, it’s ready in under 20 minutes. 
  • Multiple cooking options. I tested several different methods, and while I preferred the stovetop, I included my Instant Pot and crockpot methods, just in case.  

★★★★★ REVIEW

“I followed the recipe exactly as written. This was absolutely delicious! Even my husband, who’s not a huge fan of chicken, loved it. Bonus — it’s quick and easy!!”Jodi

homemade Tuscan chicken.

Ingredients needed

  • Chicken breasts. I prefer skinless, boneless chicken breasts, but chicken thighs are also delicious. Just note that thighs take more time to cook.
  • Olive oil. To pan-fry the chicken.
  • Salt and black pepper. To taste.
  • Flour. Optional, but helps the sauce stick to it once cooked.

For the Tuscan cream sauce:

  • Heavy cream. For the creamy factor.
  • Chicken broth. To thin out the sauce. 
  • Half and half. For extra creaminess without using too much heavy cream. 
  • Garlic. A must for an Italian-inspired chicken recipe. 
  • Italian seasoning. For aroma and flavor. If you don’t have a mix, combine dried rosemary, thyme, and oregano. 
  • Parmesan cheese. To thicken the sauce and add savoriness. If possible, I find freshly grated parmesan is always best. 
  • Spinach. I used baby spinach, but mature spinach also works, though the latter will need to be washed, dried, and de-stemmed. 
  • Sun-dried tomatoes. Opt for the kind packed in oil (not water), as those have more flavor. 

How to make Tuscan chicken

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

seasoned raw chicken breasts.

Step 1. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, and dust with flour. 

chicken breasts cooking in a skillet.

Step 2- Cook the chicken. Add oil to a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes, flipping halfway through. Set aside. 

heavy cream, spinach, sun dried tomatoes, and milk in a skillet.

Step 3- Build the sauce. Add the broth and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, add half and half and cream and boil. Once boiling, stir in the seasonings, cheese, and baby spinach until wilted. 

chicken added to creamy sauce in a pan.

Step 4- Assemble and serve. Reduce the heat to low, add the chicken and tomatoes, and simmer for 5-6 minutes or until thickened. 

Alternative cooking methods

While I prefer the stovetop method for cooking my chicken, I’ve included tested Instant Pot and slow cooker options because I know some of you prefer using those! Here is how.

Instant Pot method: Season the chicken, then cook it in the pressure cooker on the Sauté setting until cooked. Add the remaining ingredients, seal, and pressure cook for 5 minutes at High Pressure. Let the steam release naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release the remaining pressure.

Slow cooker method: Add all of the ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on Low for 6-8 hours or High for 3-4 hours. 

Arman’s recipe tips

  • You’ll know the chicken is fully cooked once it reaches an internal temperature of 165F. Don’t fret if it’s not fully there after the first sear,it will continue cooking once its added back to the pan.
  • Dredge the chicken in flour before searing. This helps give the chicken a beautiful golden color and deepens the flavor. 
  • Deglaze the pan. After removing the chicken, turn the heat to high, then add a splash of broth or dry white wine. Use a wooden spatula to scrape the pan and lift the brown bits. Let the broth boil for a few minutes, then finish building the sauce. 
  • Add sautéed onions and mushrooms. For more flavor, add onions and mushrooms to the pan after the chicken and sauté until tender and caramelized. 
  • Garnish with fresh parsley or basil for a pop of color. 

Sides to serve with this

There are no wrong answers when it comes to what to pair with your Tuscan-inspired chicken. Here are some suggestions:

When in doubt, I love serving this dish over a bed of buttery pasta or zucchini noodles for a low-carb dish. 

Storage instructions

To store: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. 

To freeze: Let the chicken cool, transfer it to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to six months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating. 

To reheat: Reheat the chicken in a baking dish in a 350F oven until warm, or microwave the chicken in 30-second intervals. Add a splash of broth if needed to thin out the sauce. 

Tuscan chicken.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use other types of meat besides chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use other types of meat instead of chicken, such as pork or turkey. However, you’ll need to reduce the cooking time to compensate (pork and turkey typically cook faster than chicken).

More easy chicken dinners

Tuscan chicken recipe.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

5 from 70 votes
My creamy Tuscan chicken recipe features juicy chicken simmered in a rich and creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. Ready in 10 minutes with multiple cooking methods! Watch the video below to see how I make it in my kitchen!
Servings: 4 servings
Prep: 1 minute
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 11 minutes

Video

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and dust with flour.
    seasoned raw chicken breasts.
  • Add oil to a non-stick skillet and place over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove the chicken.
    chicken breasts cooking in a skillet.
  • Add the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer. Once simmering, add the half and half and heavy cream and bring to a boil. Once boiling, stir through the Italian seasonings, parmesan cheese and baby spinach until wilted.
    heavy cream, spinach, sun dried tomatoes, and milk in a skillet.
  • Reduce the heat to low, add the chicken and the sun dried tomatoes and let everything simmer for 5-6 minutes, until it has thickened.
    chicken added to creamy sauce in a pan.

Notes

TO STORE: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. 
TO FREEZE: Let the chicken cool, transfer it to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to six months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating. 
TO REHEAT: Reheat the chicken in a baking dish in a 350F oven until warm, or microwave the chicken in 30-second intervals. Add a splash of broth if needed to thin out the sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 289kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 28gFat: 14gSodium: 631mgPotassium: 1045mgFiber: 3gVitamin A: 1691IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 92mgIron: 3mgNET CARBS: 11g
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Originally updated April 2023, updated and republished October 2024

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

You May Also Like

5 from 70 votes (64 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I followed the recipe exactly as written. This was absolutely delicious! Even my husband, who’s not a huge fan of chicken, loved it. Bonus — it’s quick and easy!!

  2. 5 stars
    Fantastic flavors. I did need to make a couple modifications and I hate when people do this. We are gluten free so I omitted the flour. Added lots of sautéed mushrooms because we love them.