Name: Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 4 (6-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 4 garlic cloves (minced); ¼ cup finely chopped yellow onion; ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (thinly sliced); 2 cups baby spinach; 1 ½ cups heavy cream; ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

There’s something downright irresistible about creamy, rich sauces layered with fresh herbs and bold flavors. This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe hits all those notes—tender seared chicken bathed in a velvety sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach that instantly transports your dinner to cozy Italian vibes. You’ll see why it’s become one of my go-to comfort meals.

A white skillet holds four pieces of cooked chicken with a light brown, slightly speckled surface, partially covered in a thick, creamy orange sauce. Scattered throughout the sauce are dark green wilted spinach leaves and deep red sun-dried tomato strips, adding pops of color and texture. The sauce surrounds the chicken evenly, filling the skillet, which rests on a white marbled surface with a gray cloth underneath one side. The scene is bright and well-lit, showing the rich colors and creamy texture clearly, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t tell you how many times friends have asked me to make this creamy Tuscan chicken recipe again. There’s just something so comforting yet fancy about it—perfect for anything from a relaxed weeknight to a dinner party where you want to impress without fuss.

Flavor-packed: The combination of garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian herbs gives the sauce an irresistible depth of flavor that keeps you coming back for more.
Simple ingredients: You probably already have most of what you need in your pantry—no complicated prep needed here.
Quick to make: It comes together in about 30 minutes from start to finish, perfect when you want something impressive but fast.
Versatile comfort food: It pairs beautifully with everything from pasta and rice to crusty bread—making leftovers just as delightful.

The image shows four pieces of cooked chicken in a white pan, covered with a creamy orange sauce. The sauce has visible pieces of dark green spinach and red sun-dried tomatoes scattered around and on top of the chicken. The chicken pieces look tender and lightly browned with some black pepper specks on them. The pan has a white handle visible at the bottom, placed on a grey cloth, all on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this recipe plays an important role. The chicken is our hearty protein base, while Italian seasoning brings that classic Mediterranean punch. Then the creamy sauce, enriched by parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach, creates layers of taste and texture that marry perfectly.

Flat lay of four raw boneless skinless chicken breasts seasoned with dried Italian herbs, a small heap of mixed dried oregano, thyme, basil, and rosemary, coarse kosher salt crystals, several whole black peppercorns, a small white bowl of extra virgin olive oil, four whole garlic cloves with their papery skins intact, a small pile of finely chopped yellow onion, a neat pile of thinly sliced sun-dried tomatoes, a bunch of fresh baby spinach leaves, a small white bowl filled with thick heavy cream, and a small white bowl with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, all carefully arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless to ensure quick, even cooking and easy slicing.
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that delivers that signature Tuscan flavor—a pinch really elevates the dish.
Kosher salt & black pepper: The basics for seasoning perfectly, I always taste as I go.
Extra virgin olive oil: Adds richness and helps get a golden sear on the chicken.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives a fragrant punch we can’t live without here.
Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth after being sautéed to softness.
Sun-dried tomatoes: These add a tangy, concentrated flavor that balances the creamy sauce beautifully.
Baby spinach: Adds freshness and color, wilting just enough to keep its nutrients and texture.
Heavy cream: The heart of that silky sauce—if you want dairy-free alternatives, coconut cream works well but subtly alters flavor.
Parmesan cheese: Gives a salty, nutty creaminess that thickens the sauce perfectly.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this creamy Tuscan chicken recipe depending on the season or what’s in my fridge. The great thing is it’s super forgiving and easy to personalize.

Variation: Sometimes I swap the heavy cream for half-and-half or coconut cream to lighten it up or make it dairy-free—just keep an eye on sauce thickness!
Spice it up: Adding crushed red pepper flakes gives a nice kick that balances the richness wonderfully.
Veggie boost: Toss in mushrooms or roasted red peppers for even more color and flavor layers.
Herbs: Fresh basil or parsley sprinkled on top adds a bright fresh note at the end.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken

I always start by patting my chicken dry—this helps with that beautiful golden crust. Then, I coat both sides liberally with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet, I sear each breast over medium heat for about 3 to 4 minutes per side. The key is not to rush this step; you want a nice crust that locks in juices. Once browned, I remove them to a plate and set aside.

Step 2: Build Your Flavor Base

Using the same pan, I add that last tablespoon of oil and gently sauté the finely chopped yellow onion for 2 to 3 minutes—just until soft and translucent. Next comes the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. These hit the pan for another minute or so, releasing their aroma and flavors that fill the kitchen.

Step 3: Add Greens, Cream & Cheese

Next, I toss in the baby spinach. It’s fun to watch it soften and shrink down in just a minute or so. Then comes the heavy cream and freshly grated parmesan—stir everything together really well, and bring this rich sauce to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Simmer Chicken in Sauce

I nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the pan with the creamy sauce and let everything cook together for about 5 more minutes. This time allows the chicken to warm through fully and soak up that luscious sauce. Just be careful not to overcook; chicken breasts can dry out fast, and we want them juicy and tender.

Top Tip

From my many attempts perfecting this creamy Tuscan chicken recipe, I’ve learned these tips really help nail the flavor and texture every time.

Pat chicken dry: Removing surface moisture before seasoning ensures a beautiful sear instead of steamed chicken.
Don’t rush the sear: Giving it time to brown properly creates a flavor-packed crust that sets the stage for the sauce.
Use fresh garlic and onion: Fresh aromatics make a huge difference in the overall flavor—skip the powders here.
Simmer gently: Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer, not a boil, to prevent curdling and keep it silky.

How to Serve Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe

Creamy Tuscan Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually finish this dish with a sprinkle of extra parmesan and a handful of fresh, chopped parsley for color. Sometimes I add a drizzle of good quality olive oil or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten those creamy flavors right before serving.

Side Dishes

This creamy Tuscan chicken recipe pairs beautifully with simple sides like garlic mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, or even buttered pasta. On casual nights, I often serve it with crusty bread to mop up every last bit of that luscious sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I’ve layered this dish over a bed of saffron risotto and garnished with toasted pine nuts for crunch—it's impressive without much extra work. Another fun idea I tried is serving the sauce and chicken stuffed inside puff pastry shells for a fancy twist that everyone loved.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover creamy Tuscan chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 3 days. When I reheat, I add a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce—it helps prevent it from drying out or splitting.

Freezing

This recipe freezes reasonably well—just cool it completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. When thawing, do it overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove with a bit of cream or broth to keep that sauce smooth.

Reheating

For leftovers, reheating gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of liquid works best to maintain the creaminess. Using microwave is fine too but do it in short bursts, stirring often so the sauce stays luscious—not curdled.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully in this creamy Tuscan chicken recipe. They tend to be juicier and add extra flavor, just adjust the cooking time slightly to make sure they’re cooked through.

How can I make this dairy-free?

You can swap the heavy cream for coconut cream or cashew cream, and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan for a cheesy flavor. Just note the sauce might taste slightly different but still delicious.

What’s the best way to get a golden sear on the chicken?

Make sure the chicken is patted dry before seasoning, and your pan and oil are hot enough before adding the chicken. Resist moving it around too soon so the crust forms properly.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time for meal prep?

Yes! You can prepare the chicken and sauce separately, then combine and warm up when ready to serve. Store components in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Final Thoughts

This creamy Tuscan chicken recipe holds a special place in my heart—not just because it’s so delicious, but because it’s one of those meals that feels like a warm hug at the end of a busy day. I hope you’ll give it a try and find it becoming a favorite in your home, too. Don’t be afraid to make it your own—the joy’s in the sharing and savoring every bite.