Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken

Get ready for a 30-minute miracle that’ll make your weeknight taste like a fancy Italian getaway! This Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken combines tender chicken breasts with a velvety sauce that’s packed with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach. It’s the kind of dish that makes everyone at the table go silent for the first few bites—you know, that magical food silence that says “this is too good to talk about.”

The secret to this restaurant-worthy dish is the luxurious sauce that practically begs to be sopped up with crusty bread. Rich heavy cream, savory chicken broth, and authentic Italian seasonings create a silky base, while sun-dried tomatoes add that distinctive sweet-tart punch that takes you straight to the Tuscan countryside. Best of all? This impressive meal comes together in just 25 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for both busy weeknights and special occasions when you want to wow without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1½ pounds thinly sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup chopped spinach
• ½ cup drained julienned sun dried tomatoes

Steps

1. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add the chicken breasts in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan (work in batches if needed for even cooking). Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). You’ll know they’re ready when they’re firm to the touch and no longer pink inside. Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate, tenting loosely with foil to keep warm.
2. Using the same skillet with all those delicious chicken bits (don’t clean it!), pour in 1 cup heavy cream and ½ cup chicken broth. Add 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Whisk continuously over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken. You’ll know it’s ready when it coats the back of a spoon and leaves a clear line when you run your finger through it.
3. Reduce heat to medium and add 1 cup chopped spinach and ½ cup drained julienned sun dried tomatoes to the thickened sauce. Stir gently for 1-2 minutes until the spinach begins to wilt but still maintains some structure. The spinach should turn bright green and reduce in volume by about half.
4. Return the chicken to the pan, nestling the pieces into the sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the chicken is heated through and has absorbed some of the sauce flavors. For the best presentation, spoon the sauce over the chicken pieces while they warm up. Serve immediately over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Smart Swaps

• Replace heavy cream with half-and-half plus 1 tablespoon of butter for a lighter version that still maintains creaminess
• Substitute 4 minced fresh garlic cloves for the garlic powder for a more robust flavor profile
• Use fresh baby kale instead of spinach for extra nutrition and a heartier texture (use same 1 cup measurement)
• Try ¼ cup roasted red peppers plus ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes for a different flavor combination

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Replace heavy cream with ½ cup unsweetened almond milk mixed with 2 tablespoons cream cheese (reduces carbs by approximately 8g per serving)
• Serve over zucchini noodles instead of pasta to keep the total carb count under 12g per serving
• Use ¼ teaspoon garlic powder plus 3 fresh minced garlic cloves for more flavor with fewer additives
• Pair with a side salad dressed with olive oil and vinegar to slow glucose absorption

Pro Tips

• Pound chicken breasts to an even ¼-inch thickness before cooking for the most tender results and fastest cooking time
• Pat sun-dried tomatoes with paper towels before adding to remove excess oil and prevent a greasy sauce
• Let the sauce simmer for an extra 2-3 minutes if it seems too thin—patience creates the perfect consistency
• For meal prep, store the chicken and sauce separately; reheat the sauce gently on the stovetop, then add the sliced chicken during the final minute