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Easy One-Pan Tuscan Garlic Chicken Skillet

one-pan Tuscan garlic chicken skillet - featured image

A quick and easy one-pan chicken recipe featuring tender chicken breasts in a creamy garlic sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (68 oz each)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil, drained)
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (120 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • Salt to taste (about 1 teaspoon)
  • Black pepper to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon)
  • 1 tablespoon butter (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs. (5 minutes)
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Let it get hot but not smoking. (2 minutes)
  3. Add chicken breasts to the pan. Cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes on the first side until golden brown. Flip and cook another 5 minutes on the other side until almost cooked through. (10-12 minutes)
  4. Transfer chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm. (1 minute)
  5. Lower heat to medium and add minced garlic to the same pan. Stir constantly to prevent burning and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. (1 minute)
  6. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and stir to combine. Warm through for about 2 minutes. (2 minutes)
  7. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer. (3 minutes)
  8. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce thickens slightly. Add spinach and stir until wilted and incorporated. (3-4 minutes)
  9. Return chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon sauce over them. Simmer together for 3-5 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature and sauce is thick and luscious. (5 minutes)
  10. Taste sauce and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Optionally stir in butter for a silky finish. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Notes

Do not crowd the pan to ensure a golden crust. Pat chicken dry before searing. Add garlic after removing chicken to avoid burning. Let chicken rest under foil while making sauce. Simmer sauce gently to prevent curdling. If sauce is too thin, simmer longer uncovered; if too thick, add broth or cream. Freshly grated Parmesan melts better than pre-shredded.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan chicken, garlic chicken, creamy chicken skillet, one-pan chicken, easy chicken dinner, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, quick dinner