Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Enjoy this creamy Tuscany classic dish made with chicken pieces cooked in a creamy, flavorful sun-dried tomato and parmesan sauce.

“Satiating” is the one word that best describes the feeling I had after eating a serving Tuscan chicken alongside cooked white rice. Traditional tuscan chicken is made using chicken breasts cooked in a creamy buttery cheese and spinach sauce.

Let me warn you early, this is not a dish that is lactose-intolerant friendly. I know that there are lactose-free options of cream and you can use them if you wish. I am just not sure if it would produce the same level of creaminess known to Tuscan chicken.

Here are some other chicken recipes for you to try!

What is Tuscan Chicken?

This dish is called Tuscan because chicken is cooked in Tuscan sauce. Tuscan sauce has been associated with old Italian cuisine, the Tuscany region to be precise. It is characterized by a rich sauce made with heavy cream, parmesan, butter and spinach. These standard ingredients have remained the same, even today.

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What do I need to make Tuscan Chicken?

Protein

As mentioned, traditional Tuscan chicken uses chicken breasts. However, since the main part of this dish is the sauce, I used chicken thigh cuts, personal preference. Season the chicken lightly before cooking them in the creamy sauce.

Sun-dried Tomatoes

Used in place of diced red bell peppers, they have a concentrated flavour, a few strips add a mild sweetness to the sauce.

Heavy Cream

Whipping or heavy cream makes up most of the liquid content of the Tuscan sauce. Heavy cream and the butter merge to cause a burst of flavor.

Unsalted Butter

Oil the skillet with unsalted butter before searing the chicken pieces. You can use olive oil in place of butter if you like.

Aromatics

Some chopped garlic and onions add an aromatic appeal to this sauce. I am not sure there exist any sauces that I will make without these aromatics.

Parmesan Cheese

Parmesan is commonly used in Italian cuisine. Towards the end of the cooking process, a sprinkle of parmesan is added. This flavors the sauce and serves as a mild thickener.

After the chicken pieces are seared till light brown, they are set aside while the rest of the ingredients go in. This is a dish that comes together quickly, it is advised that you already have what will be eaten as a side. Popular accompaniments are cooked rice, pasta, soft buttery buns etc.

tuscan chicken

Tuscan Chicken

Food Sturvs
Tuscan chicken is a classic Tuscany dish made with simple ingredients. Chicken breasts or thigh cuts are pan-seared before being allowed to cook slowly in a highly creamy and flavorful sun-dried tomato and parmesan sauce. Enjoy this with any pasta or rice of your choice.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 520 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large skillet

Ingredients
  

  • 3 lbs chicken thigh cuts rinse and pat dry
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper ground
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 white onion chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves chopped/minced
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
  • cups heavy cream
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp chicken bouillon optional
  • ½ cup parmesan shredded
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach

Instructions
 

  • Season the chicken thigh cuts with salt and black pepper, coat and set aside.
  • Add the unsalted butter to a heated large skillet until melted completely.
  • Add in the chicken thigh cuts skin-side down and let them sear on high heat for 5-7 mins. Flip over when you see they have browned nicely for another 3 minutes, take them out and set aside.
  • Go in with the chopped onions and garlic, let it fry till fragrant, this should take 1-2 minutes.
  • Add in the sun-dried tomatoes and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.
  • Pour in the heavy cream and reduce the heat, let it come to a soft simmer. Season with the paprika, salt, bouillon and black pepper.
  • Add in the chicken thighs into the creamy sauce, sprinkle on the shredded parmesan and the fresh spinach. Let it cook on medium to low heat for another 5-10 minutes, then it is ready!
  • Turn off the heat and serve warm with some rice or pasta.

Notes

  • Considering this is a dish that comes together really quickly, it may be best to have the side dish ready.
  • Try to refrain from overcooking the sauce as this continues to reduce the cream and butter to fat, you may end up with a highly oily sauce rather than a creamy one.
  • When pan-searing the chicken pieces, do not overcrowd the pan, this can be done in two batches. Overcrowding can cause the chicken to cook (as a result of the moisture) instead of brown.
 
Keyword marry me chicken, tuscan chicken
Food Sturvs
Food Sturvs

Iddy Akanni, a Nigerian-Canadian wife, mother, and passionate food enthusiast. Food Sturvs is more than just a blog—it’s a vibrant community where Iddy tells her recipe stories.

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