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Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken Recipe Easy Step-by-Step with Spinach

Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken - featured image

A rich and comforting creamy Tuscan garlic chicken with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and a silky Parmesan sauce enhanced with cottage cheese for smooth texture. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or impressing guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 680g), pounded to even thickness
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil preferred)
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach (or frozen, squeezed dry)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 1/2 cup cottage cheese (120 g), blended smooth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound them to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm). Season both sides with salt and pepper. (Prep time: 5 minutes)
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C). Remove from skillet and set aside. (Cook time: 12 minutes)
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently. (3 minutes)
  4. While garlic and tomatoes cook, blend 1/2 cup cottage cheese until smooth. (2 minutes)
  5. Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and the blended cottage cheese, stirring to combine. Add dried Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes if using. Let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes. (4 minutes)
  6. Stir in 3 cups fresh baby spinach, letting it wilt in the sauce (about 2 minutes). Then stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. (3 minutes)
  7. Return chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce. Spoon sauce over the chicken and let everything heat through for 2-3 minutes. (3 minutes)
  8. Remove from heat and serve immediately, spooning extra sauce on top. Pairs well with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or pasta.

Notes

Do not rush the sauce simmering step to allow it to thicken properly. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or water. Use fresh garlic and good-quality sun-dried tomatoes for best flavor. Check chicken internal temperature to avoid overcooking. Leftovers store well in fridge up to 3 days and freeze up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan chicken, creamy garlic chicken, spinach chicken recipe, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan sauce, easy dinner, weeknight meal