Easy Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken – 30 Min. One-Pan!

Ditch the Takeout Menu for This 30-Minute Skillet Sensation

Craving the indulgent comfort of a restaurant pasta dish but short on time and energy? This Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken is your culinary shortcut to satisfaction. Imagine tender, golden-brown chicken breasts smothered in a luxuriously creamy sauce, bursting with the savory punch of garlic, the rich tang of parmesan, and the sweet, intense flavor of sun-dried tomatoes, all punctuated by vibrant green spinach. The best part? This gourmet-looking meal cooks entirely in one skillet and is on your table in just about 30 minutes flat. It’s the ultimate recipe for transforming a hectic weeknight into a special occasion.

Why This Recipe Deserves a Permanent Spot in Your Rotation

• Unbeatable Speed: From prep to plate in half an hour. It’s faster than ordering delivery.
• Minimal Cleanup: One pan means one dish to wash. The simplicity is as satisfying as the flavor.
• Impressive Results: The creamy, colorful sauce and beautifully seared chicken look and taste like they came from a professional kitchen.
• Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: The rich, savory sauce is universally loved by both adults and kids.
• Incredibly Versatile: Serve it over pasta, mashed potatoes, rice, or with a crusty loaf of bread—it’s fantastic every way.

Gathering Your Simple, Flavor-Packed Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced (for quick, even cooking)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, for searing
• Sauce Base: 1 cup heavy cream, ½ cup chicken broth, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (crucial for a smooth sauce)
• 1 cup chopped fresh spinach
• ½ cup drained, julienned sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed add extra flavor)

Smart Swaps & Tips: For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream (the sauce will be slightly thinner). Chicken thighs work wonderfully for even more juicy flavor. No fresh spinach? A handful of frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry) works in a pinch. For the best, smoothest sauce, always grate your own parmesan from a block—pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make sauces grainy.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Skillet Perfection

1. Sear the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry and season lightly with salt. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.
2. Build the Creamy Sauce: In the same skillet (don’t wash it—those browned bits are flavor!), reduce the heat to medium. Add the heavy cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Whisk continuously for 1-2 minutes to combine and scrape up any delicious bits from the pan.
3. Thicken and Flavor: Sprinkle in the freshly grated parmesan cheese. Continue to whisk gently for 3-4 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce has thickened nicely to coat the back of a spoon.
4. Combine and Finish: Add the chopped spinach and sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce. Stir and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until the spinach wilts. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over it. Let everything heat through for another minute before serving.

Pro Tips & Delicious Variations

• The Golden Rule of Cheese: As mentioned, freshly grate your parmesan. It’s the single biggest tip for a velvety, non-grainy sauce.
• Boost the Garlic: Love garlic? Add 2-3 minced fresh garlic cloves to the pan for 30 seconds after removing the chicken, before adding the liquids.
• Add Pasta: This is a classic pairing. Stir cooked fettuccine, penne, or tortellini directly into the finished sauce in the skillet.
• Protein Swap: The sauce is also phenomenal with shrimp or salmon. Cook your protein first, then follow the same sauce steps.
• Cream Sauce Rescue: If your sauce seems too thick, thin it with a splash of extra chicken broth. If it breaks or looks oily, remove from heat and whisk in a tablespoon of cold butter or cream until it re-emulsifies.

Serving Suggestions to Complete the Feast

This chicken and sauce are a match made in heaven for carbohydrates that can soak up every drop. Serve it over a bed of fettuccine or pappardelle for the ultimate comfort meal. For a low-carb option, try it with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. On the side, a simple garlic bread or a light arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette provides the perfect contrast to the rich, creamy main.

Nutrition & Storage Information

• Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving, without pasta): Calories: ~368, Protein: 30g, Fat: 25g, Carbohydrates: 7g. Note: Using a lighter cream will reduce fat and calories.
• Storage: Let the dish cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Freezing: You can freeze this dish for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Note that creamy sauces can sometimes separate when frozen and reheated.
• Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, stirring frequently and adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to help bring the sauce back together.

Your Creamy Tuscan Chicken Questions, Answered

Can I make this in a Crockpot?
Yes, but the method changes. Sear the chicken first for flavor, then add everything except the spinach, cream, and parmesan to the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 3-4 hours. Stir in the cream, parmesan, and spinach in the last 30 minutes until melted and wilted.

My sauce is too thin. How can I thicken it?
Let it simmer a bit longer to reduce. Alternatively, create a slurry by mixing 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water and whisk it into the simmering sauce for 1-2 minutes until thickened.

Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?
We do not recommend it. Milk will not thicken the same way and is very likely to curdle when heated with the acidic tomatoes. For a lighter option, half-and-half is the best substitute.

What can I use instead of sun-dried tomatoes?
While they provide a unique sweet-tart flavor, you can substitute with 1-2 tablespoons of tomato paste or a handful of slow-roasted cherry tomatoes for a different, but still delicious, profile.

Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, as written, the chicken and sauce are naturally gluten-free. Always double-check your chicken broth and seasoning labels. Serve it with gluten-free pasta or a gluten-free side.

More Easy, Creamy Dinners You’ll Love

If this Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken becomes your new favorite (and we think it will), you’ll adore exploring our other simple, flavor-packed recipes. For another incredibly easy one-pan wonder with a creamy, cheesy sauce, our Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Skillet is a must-try. If you love the hands-off convenience of slow cooking, our Crockpot BBQ Meatballs delivers cozy comfort with minimal effort. And for a dinner that feels truly special any night of the week, you can’t beat the romantic, flavorful simplicity of our Marry Me Chicken or the rich, satisfying layers of our Sour Cream Beef Noodle Casserole.

Inspired by the Rustic Flavors of Tuscany

This recipe draws inspiration from the hearty, comforting flavors of Tuscan cuisine—simple, high-quality ingredients like garlic, herbs, parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes combined to create something greater than the sum of its parts. It embodies the approach of home cooks and food bloggers like Alyssa Rivers on her blog The Recipe Critic, who focus on making restaurant-inspired dishes accessible, reliable, and achievable for any home cook on any night of the week.

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