Tuscan chicken is an easy yet indulgent dish no one can resist. The decadent cream sauce with parmesan cheese and cherry tomatoes is incredible.
The recipe also has a savory kick from Italian herbs and spinach.
It’s just as rich and cheesy as the Tuscan chicken you get at Olive Garden. But making it in your own kitchen is much more satisfying!
If you’re looking for a satisfying weeknight meal, Tuscan chicken is the perfect option.
So, fire up those saute pans, and let’s take a look at this delicious chicken recipe.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Tuscan chicken will soon be your new favorite weeknight meal. So, what is it about this dish that’s so magical?
The rich and creamy sauce delivers a punch of buttery garlic flavors. The dish is accented by Parmesan cheese and heavy cream.
To compliment the rich sauce, it earns a pop of earthy flavors from cherry tomatoes and spinach.
Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in a few veggies for your weeknight meals.
And the best part? It’s low in carbs, so you won’t need a post-dinner nap.
Although, I highly recommend serving this delicious dish with a helping of pasta!
Ingredients
Here’s everything you need to whip up this amazing meal.
- Extra virgin olive oil and butter. Butter delivers a creamy and nutty bite to this dish. However, it can burn at the bottom of the pan. That’s where extra virgin olive oil comes in! This classic duo adds complex flavors and won’t burn under the heat.
- Skinless chicken breasts. Simple chicken breasts are the perfect vehicle for the amazing creamy sauce. They’re light, flavorful, and perfectly tender, simmered in heavy cream. However, chicken thighs work well in this dish, too.
- Salt and pepper. A simple dash of salt and pepper makes this dish so satisfying, savory, and bright.
- Oregano. Is it even an Italian dish without oregano? Adding oregano adds a warming, earthy kick that pairs perfectly with tomatoes. Or, you can opt for an Italian blend incorporating oregano, rosemary, thyme, and basil.
- Garlic. Where are all my garlic fans? This recipe is delightfully garlicky with three cloves of freshly minced garlic. For the best flavor, always opt for fresh garlic instead of that stuff that comes pre-minced in a jar.
- Cherry tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes add the perfect meaty bite and kick of acidity to this intensely creamy and cheesy dish.
- Spinach. Spinach adds an earthy bite and a boatload of nutrition. Be generous with your spinach. It wilts down once it hits the pan. For more peppery notes, you can also substitute spinach for arugula.
- Heavy cream. Never skip the heavy cream! It’s what makes this sauce so irresistibly creamy. If you want to cut down on dairy, you can also substitute coconut cream (not milk) or cashew cream.
- Parmesan cheese. Freshly grated parmesan cheese right off the block is best. Pre-shredded parmesan cheese won’t melt as evenly. And that stuff in the green bottle will make every Italian grandma weep.
- Lemon wedges. With all those heavy, savory flavors, this dish needs a pop of acidity. Serving it with a few lemon wedges on the side elevates the rich tastes.
How to Make Tuscan Chicken
From the fridge to your dinner plate, this recipe takes 40 minutes to come together. Here’s a quick breakdown of how easy it is to whip up Tuscan chicken on a hectic weeknight.
1. Cook the chicken. Add oil to a skillet and warm it on medium heat. Then, add the chicken to the pan and season it with salt and pepper. Cook it for 8 minutes per side, and set it aside.
2. Add the veggies. Melt the butter in the same skillet as the chicken under medium heat. Then, slowly stir in the minced garlic and stir it for one minute. Add the cherry tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Then, stir in spinach and cook until it’s dark green and wilted.
3. Make it creamy. Once the spinach wilts, stir in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese. Reduce the heat to low and simmer it for 3 minutes.
4. Add the chicken. Return the chicken to the cream sauce, and cook it for 5-7 minutes.
5. Garnish. Add the chicken and a spoonful of cream sauce to the plate and garnish it with lemon wedges. Serve it and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
What’s great about Tuscan chicken is you can tweak it to make it your own. Check out these tips and variations to take this recipe over the top.
- Swap out your protein. Chicken isn’t the star of this show, it’s the creamy Tuscan sauce! You can easily swap out chicken breasts for chicken thighs or make it pescatarian with seared shrimp.
- Add more veggies. You don’t have to stop with just spinach and tomatoes. Adding veggies like mushrooms or bell peppers is a great way to dial up the flavors and nutrition.
- Make it spicy. Want a little extra heat in your life? Adding a few crushed red pepper flakes adds the perfect pop of heat. Plus, they’re the perfect accent to the decadently creamy cheese sauce.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
This dish is so tasty, there probably won’t be leftovers. But in the rare case you have them, check out the best ways to keep them fresh.
There’s nothing better than Tuscan chicken for lunch the next day!
- To store in the refrigerator: Place leftovers in an air-tight container or freezer bag, and place them in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days.
- To store in the freezer: You can also place cooled leftovers in a freezer bag and pop them in the freezer. Frozen Tuscan chicken stays fresh for up to 3 months. Be sure you date the bag before placing it in the freezer!
- How to reheat: Place frozen leftovers in the fridge to thaw overnight. Once thawed, reheat them in the microwave or pop them back in a skillet until warmed through.
What to Serve with Tuscan Chicken
Wondering what to serve with Tuscan chicken?
Here are a few amazing serving suggestions and side dishes:
- Ina Garten Mashed Potatoes – Rich and creamy potatoes are the perfect backdrop for this indulgent Tuscan chicken.
- Buttered Noodles – The addition of nutty parmesan cheese with fettuccine noodles and buttery Tuscan chicken is a match made in heaven.
- Cauliflower Rice – Tuscan chicken is a low-carb meal, and cauliflower rice is a great way to stick to a low-carb diet. It’s rich and fluffy like rice and the perfect accent to this recipe.
- Garden Salad – A fresh garden salad is a fantastic complement to this saucy chicken dish.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken (Best Recipe)
4
servings5
minutes40
minutes593
kcalThis creamy Tuscan chicken is easy, rich, and delicious! The combination of parmesan, cream, and garlic is to die for.
Ingredients
1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt
Pepper
Dried oregano
3 cloves minced garlic
1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes
3 cups baby spinach
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Place extra-virgin olive oil in a skillet under medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and season them with salt and pepper. Saute the chicken breasts for about 8 minutes per side or until golden brown. Then, remove them from the heat and set them aside.
- In the same pan, melt the butter under medium heat. Add the freshly minced garlic and stir for 1 minute. Then, place cherry tomatoes in the skillet and season them with salt and pepper. Cook them until they start to burst. Next, add baby spinach and stir until it’s wilted.
- Stir in the heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese and bring the sauce to a simmer. Once it simmers, reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce to reduce for 3 minutes.
- Once the sauce reduces, return the chicken to the skillet to cook in the sauce for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Place the chicken on a plate, ladle the sauce on top, and garnish it with lemon wedges. Serve it and enjoy!
Notes
- Serving suggestions. Tuscan chicken goes great with pasta, mashed potatoes, cauliflower rice, or a light side salad.
- Check the internal temperature of the chicken. To ensure that your chicken is cooked all the way through, invest in a kitchen thermometer. Place the thermometer on the thickest part of the chicken while cooking. If it’s over 165 degrees Fahrenheit, your chicken is ready.
- Never substitute heavy cream. Heavy cream is what makes this dish so rich and creamy. Half and half or milk may curdle under the heat, and won’t be as rich and flavorful.
This is an awesome recipe ! It is one of my go to for company dinners. It is so good and I always double the recipe.
Hi Mary! So glad you like it. It’s one of my faves, too 🙂