Best Creamy Tuscan Chicken
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
25 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
591 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian-American Fussion
Best Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Description
This recipe starts by seasoning chicken breasts with salt, pepper, oregano, and basil, then searing them until cooked through, ensuring juicy and flavorful meat. Pancetta is cooked in the same skillet to render its fat and develop crispness, which adds depth to the sauce. Mushrooms are sautéed until they release moisture, then combined with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and red pepper flakes for layered flavor.
A rich, creamy sauce is created by adding heavy cream and smoked paprika, then simmering gently. The seared pancetta is stirred back in along with Parmesan cheese and fresh spinach, which wilts into the sauce, creating a luscious coating for the chicken. This Tuscan-inspired dish pairs well with cooked pasta or steamed rice to balance its richness.
It can be prepared with chicken cutlets left whole for presentation or sliced into strips. Heavy cream can be replaced with half and half if desired. Leftovers reheat well in a skillet with added chicken stock or water to maintain creaminess, and can be kept refrigerated up to 5 days. However, freezing is not recommended as it may affect texture.
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breast cut in half, lengthwise
- salt
- black pepper
- 1 tablespoon oregano dried
- 1 tablespoon basil dried
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
- 2 oz pancetta cubed, or 2 strips of bacon
- 8 oz baby bella mushroom sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, roughly chopped
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 cups spinach fresh, washed and stems removed
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- pasta optional, for serving over, cooked; or steamed rice
Instructions
- Season the chicken all over with salt, pepper, oregano, and basil.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the chicken and sear for 4 minutes. Flip and sear the other side for another 4 minutes. Pierce the cutlets with a knife, if juices run clear, set aside, if pink, then sear for another couple of minutes. Remove cutlets from the pan onto a plate.
- Add the pancetta to the pan and cook, stirring often, until crispy. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate.
- To the same pan, add the mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until softened and release their juices, about 6 to 8 minutes. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper and the red pepper flakes. Add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring often.
- Stir in the cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in the cooked pancetta, paprika, ¾ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Simmer for 3 minutes.
- Add spinach and simmer until wilted. Nestle in the seared chicken and cook for another few minutes, spooning the sauce over the chicken occasionally.
- Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese.
- Serve at once over cooked pasta, or steamed rice, if desired. Pass extra Parmesan cheese at the table.
Notes
- You can increase the chicken portion without changing sauce quantity for larger servings.
- Heavy cream can be substituted with half and half for a lighter sauce.
- Serve sliced chicken or whole cutlets depending on preference; both work well.
- Leftovers reheat best in a skillet with added chicken stock or water to keep the sauce creamy.
- Keep leftovers refrigerated up to 5 days; freezing is not advised due to sauce texture changes.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 591 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 591kcal | 30% |
| Carbohydrates | 16g | 5% |
| Protein | 37g | 74% |
| Fat | 28g | 43% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 0.03g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 191mg | 64% |
| Sodium | 484mg | 20% |
| Potassium | 1394mg | 30% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 3344IU | 67% |
| Vitamin C | 12mg | 13% |
| Calcium | 280mg | 28% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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