Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Overview: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Step 1: Gather all the tools and ingredients 

Step 2: Season the chicken

Step 3: Heat skillet and place the chicken

Step 4: Place the chicken thighs in the skillet

Step 5: Flip and cook the chicken

Step 6: Add the garlic and onion

Step 7: Add the heavy cream 

Step 8: Add parmesan cheese 

Step 9: Spoon the sauce on top of the chicken 

Step 10: Serve with favorite sides

1. Tools You Will Need
2. Creamy Tuscan Chicken - Cooking Instructions
3. Tips for perfectly Creamy Tuscan Chicken
4. Alternative Recipe - Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Pasta
5. Best Pasta to Eat with Creamy Tuscan Chicken
6. Keto Creamy Tuscan Chicken
7. How to Store
8. Nutritional Value
9. Serving suggestions
10. Frequently Asked Questions

Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a fast, easy, and delicious dish. Get ready to fall in love with the creamy sauce that is elevated with garlic, tomatoes, and other fresh ingredients. Plus, you can prepare this dish literally in no time. 

Imagine this. You’re on the coast of Tuscany, Italy, a beautiful breeze swishes through while you enjoy the view of the Tuscan Sea. While the pandemic makes it difficult for you to plan a vacation, let us help bring Tuscany to you….on a plate. 

This Creamy tuscan chicken dinner recipe is my all-time favorite. The chicken is pan-fried to golden perfection, making it melt-in-your-mouth tender and the sauce……Mmmmm! You’re going to love it. So let’s dive straight into it and get cooking!

1. Tools You Will Need

1. A good kitchen knife: A razor-sharp chef’s knife or a utility knife should work perfectly fine for this. If these knives are too big for you to work with, you can also use a paring knife.
   
2. Cutting Board: A sturdy cutting board is very important to make sure the chicken and veggies and cut to perfection.
   
3. Apron: You can’t deny the fact that a good apron is an absolute must in every kitchen. You’re going to need this to protect your clothes from any spillage.
   
4. A skillet: A good skillet is very important as it ensures that the contents inside are cooked evenly, to give you the perfectly cooked pieces of chicken.
   
5. Measuring spoons: Keep these handy to make sure that you’re adding the right amounts of all the ingredients.
   
6. Cheese grater: If you don’t have pre-grated cheese, you are going to need this to grate the block of parmesan.

2. Creamy Tuscan Chicken - Cooking Instructions

Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Prep Time 20 mins	Cook Time 35 mins	Total Time 55 mins	Servings 4

Ingredients
Chicken:	4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Ingredient List:	2 teaspoons Salt (to season the chicken)  1 teaspoon Pepper (to season the chicken) 1 tablespoon Oil  3 cloves Garlic (chopped)  ½ Onion (diced) 1 Tomato (diced)  2 cups Spinach (about 80g)  2 cups Heavy Cream (480ml)  1 teaspoon Salt  1 teaspoon Pepper ½ cup grated Parmesan Cheese (55g)  2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)

Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Gather all the tools and ingredients	Get started by gathering all the tools and ingredients mentioned above and double-check to make sure you don’t miss out on any important ingredient.
Step 2: Season the chicken	Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Heat the skillet and place the chicken	Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-low heat.
Step 4: Place the chicken thighs in the skillet	Place the chicken thighs, skin-side-down in the skillet, and cook for about 13 minutes to crisp up the skin.  Move the chicken around from time to time to ensure it cooks evenly. The skin should be hard to touch.
Step 4: Flip and cook the chicken	Flip the chicken, then cook for about another 15 mins, until the chicken is cooked through.  At this point, remove the chicken from the pan.
Step 5: Add the garlic and onion	Add garlic and onion, stirring until the onions are translucent. Stir in tomatoes and spinach until the spinach is wilted.
Step 6: Add the heavy cream	Add the heavy cream, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
Step 7: Add parmesan cheese	Add the Parmesan cheese and parsley. Stir until the sauce has thickened slightly.
Step 8: Spoon the sauce on top of the chicken	Place the chicken back in the pan, spooning the sauce on top of the chicken.
Step 9: Serve with favorite sides	Plate the creamy chicken and serve with your favorite sides like mashed potatoes, garlic bread, or anything else that you’d fancy.

 

Variations

There is so much room for creativity with this recipe. You can customize it to fit your taste exactly. Some of my favorite variations are: 

• Sautéed wild mushrooms can be incorporated into the creamy sun-dried tomato and spinach sauce to bulk it up. 
• Torn kale leaves are a healthier alternative to spinach.
• Thinly sliced and sautéed strips of red bell peppers can be used instead of sun-dried tomatoes. 
• Fresh diced tomatoes can also replace sun-dried tomatoes. 
• You can also swap boneless, skinless chicken breasts out for a large seared shrimp for a protein alternative for this dish. 
• Add some spice to the dish with a couple of pinches of crushed red pepper flakes. 
• Make this recipe gluten-free by swapping gluten-free flour in for the all-purpose flour.
  

3. Tips for making the perfect Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Serve with: Freshly steamed veggies or a light salad are great sides to add freshness to the meal. You can also prepare mashed potatoes or homemade garlic bread. You will want to be scraping the creamy sauce up with your bread at the end of the meal. 

Protein: Swap out the chicken for salmon or shrimp. The sauce will pair perfectly with these meats and will add variety to your protein. 

How to know when the chicken is done: To ensure your chicken is cooked throughout, look for juices to run clear. Also, keep in mind that chicken must be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. So, use a meat thermometer to be sure you have perfectly cooked chicken pieces. 

Creamy sauce: For the most creamy sauce, be sure you’re using freshly grated parmesan cheese. Already shredded cheeses are coated with preservatives that keep them from melting completely and will result in a grainy sauce. 

Tender chicken: Make sure your chicken is at room temperature before cooking. It will cook more evenly than if it is still cold. Also, remember to dry it completely and season it with salt as it cooks in an oil-coated pan. 

The best way to reheat: Pour sauce into a skillet and gently simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Stir parmesan into the sauce and continue to simmer until the sauce slightly thickens, about 2 minutes. Nestle chicken breasts into the simmering sauce and continue to simmer for 3-5 minutes or until chicken has warmed through. 

4. Alternative Recipe - Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Pasta

Here’s a delicious twist to your Creamy Tuscan Chicken. The heavenly combination of tomatoes and cream makes this the perfect sauce for some pasta to swim in. The chicken is simple and just adds a bit of protein. Not only is this dish easy and quick to cook up, but it is also something you are going to obsess over for a long time. 

Here’s how it’s done: 

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Prep Time 10 mins	Cook Time 20 mins	Total Time 30 mins	Servings 6

Ingredients
Chicken:	1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Pasta	1 pound spaghetti or linguini
Ingredient List:	2 tablespoons Olive Oil Kosher Salt and freshly cracked Black Pepper (to taste)  4 slices of Bacon (optional)  8 cloves Garlic (roughly chopped)  1 15-ounce can Canned Tomatoes (diced)  ½ cup Sun-dried Tomatoes, roughly chopped 1 handful Baby Spinach ½ cup Heavy Cream  ½-1 cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese 1 Lemon, zested and juiced Basil (to garnish)

Cooking Instructions
Step 1:	Cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water once cooked, drain and set aside.
Step 2:	Heat the large skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil. Liberally season the chicken with salt and pepper and cook until golden on the outside and no longer pink on the inside, about 7-8 minutes per side.  Remove from the pan, let rest for 10 minutes before thinly slicing.
Step 3:	In the same skillet, add the bacon and cook until crispy. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate and then tear it into bite-sized pieces.
Step 4:	If there is a lot of bacon fat leftover, drain most of it off. Add the garlic, tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach to the skillet and cook over medium heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper to taste, then add heavy cream, parmesan, and a few tablespoons of reserved pasta water.  Simmer for 5 minutes until saucy and combined.
Step 5:	Add the reserved pasta, chicken, bacon, lemon juice, and lemon zest and toss until combined.  If it’s too thick, add a few more tablespoons of the reserved pasta water.
Step 6:	Garnish with basil and serve.

5. Best Pasta to Eat with Creamy Tuscan Chicken

When it comes to selecting the kind of pasta that can add to this creamy sauce, you have a long list to choose from. Here are a few of my top pasta choices that will pair beautifully with this sauce. 

• Penne (tubular pasta) 
• Spaghetti (strand pasta) 
• Linguine (ribbon pasta) 
• Rigatoni (tubular pasta) 
• Farfalle (bow-shaped pasta) 
• Fusilli (screw-shaped pasta)
• Fettuccine (ribbon pasta) 

A wise man once said that there’s no such thing as “too much cheese”. So, if you’re in the mood to experiment a little, you can also add some spinach and ricotta stuffed Ravioli. 

6. Keto Creamy Tuscan Chicken

This dish is ultimately creamy and a little cheesy. We start with browning the chicken thighs before cooking them alongside Tuscan ingredients like sundried tomatoes and garlic. These flavors come together for a deliciously cohesive entrée that can be paired alongside mixed veggies, cauliflower rice and so much more! 

Keto Creamy Tuscan Chicken Dinner Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins	Cook Time 20 mins	Total Time 30 mins	Servings 4

Ingredients
Chicken:	4 chicken thighs- boneless, skinless
Ingredient List:	¼ tablespoon Avocado Oil ½ Shallot (finely diced)  2 cloves Garlic (minced or pressed)  ¼ cup Sundried Tomatoes (chopped)  ½ cup Chicken Broth 1 cup Heavy Cream ⅓ cup Parmesan Cheese 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes  1 large handful of fresh Spinach Salt and Pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions
Step 1:	In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the avocado oil.
Step 2:	Add the chicken thighs and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 3 minutes per side without moving to brown. Remove chicken from the pan.
Step 3:	Reduce the heat to medium and add the shallots. Saute for about 3 minutes until translucent.  Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
Step 4:	Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan. Follow with heavy cream and parmesan cheese.  Bring to simmer.
Step 5:	Once simmering, add the cherry tomatoes, sundried tomatoes, and spinach.  Stir until incorporated.
Step 6:	Add the chicken back into the pan and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes per side.
Step 7:	Turn off the heat and let sit to thicken/cool about 5 minutes before serving

Tips to making the perfect Creamy Tuscan Chicken - Keto Edition

• Try serving this over cauliflower rice instead of the traditional pasta to keep this keto-friendly.
• You can also serve with a side of mixed veggies or a green salad to make it a full meal.
• This recipe warms up deliciously! Keep leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.

7. How to Store

To be honest, leftovers with this meal are extremely unlikely. However, it can be made ahead to save you time on a busy night. 

To store it, you will want to let it cool completely. Then, within 2 hours of cooking, store it in an airtight container. After storing, it will remain good for 3-4 days in the refrigerator or 6 months in a freezer. 

To thaw from frozen, heat it on the stove-top. You need to whisk sauce thoroughly to get the sauce back to its original creamy consistency. Add additional chicken broth or cream if your sauce is breaking. 

To prevent the cream sauce from curdling, stir well when reheating. 

If you have an extra chicken breast leftover, then shred/chop the chicken and serve it with a salad for lunch the next day. Way tastier than plain, boring chicken.

8. Nutritional Value

Creamy Tuscan Chicken: Nutritional Value
(Estimated values based on one serving size)
Calories	714kcal
Fat	64g
Carbohydrates	9g
Protein	40g
Fiber	1g
Sugar	6g

9. Serving suggestions

Portions

• Ideally, to serve 6 individuals, you will need about 1½ pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. 
• To serve a party of 12, you will need about 3 pounds of chicken. 
• And if you’re hosting a larger group, of about 18 people, you will need about 4.5 pounds of chicken. 

Sides

• You can serve this creamy chicken over pasta that has been mixed with olive, salt, and garlic. Also, a touch of parmesan never hurt anyone. 
• Soak up the creamy sauce with a warm piece of delicious garlic bread. You can also keep it simple by serving some fresh French bread slices. 
• Steamed rice is also amazing with this dish. You can go for brown or white rice, both taste delicious.
• If you love potatoes as much as I do, a side of mashed potatoes, fries, or potato wedges also pair well with this dish. You can also give that chicken a quick chop, stir it into the sauce and ladle everything over the baked potatoes.
• Grains like quinoa, farro, bulgar also go well with this. You can also try a combination of grains. 
• A crusty baguette to soak up all the delicious cream is also highly recommended. 

In case you’re looking for low carb options, here are a few things you can try: 

• Steamed or roasted veggies
• Fresh zucchini noodles  
• Mashed cauliflower 
• Roaster garlic, broccoli, and green beans with parmesan
• Steamed broccoli 
• Squash Spaghetti 
• Crispy parmesan-crusted zucchini

Wine Pairing

I would go for a white wine to go with this Tuscan Chicken. A light Chardonnay or Pinot Gris pairs well. For a sweeter wine, choose a Riesling or a Sparkling Moscato. 

10. Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tuscan chicken made of?

The best Creamy Tuscan Chicken is made with some very simple ingredients that come together to make a delicious dish. Originally the recipe uses thinly sliced chicken breast, fresh spinach, flavorful sun-dried tomatoes, all swimming in a delicious creamy sauce.

What is a Tuscan sauce made of?

It's made with tomatoes, basil, garlic, olive oil, and salt. The tomatoes are cut into smaller pieces and then placed in a pot with garlic and basil leaves. The combination is cooked, and the tomatoes are then passed through a sieve or a food mill.

What is Tuscan Chicken Wikipedia?

The Mugellese, also known as Mugginese, is a rustic dual-purpose breed of small chicken or bantam from Tuscany, in central Italy. It takes its name from the historic Mugello region to the northeast of Florence. It is not officially recognized as a breed in Italy but is being considered for recognition.

What is the Tuscan Chicken origin?

The origins of this dish are from Northern Italy.

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Written by Himani Vaid

Toronto-based food nerd turned food storyteller, Himani is a connoisseur of all things delish. Currently, busy thinking about what to eat next.