Creamy Garlic Tuscan Chicken

$To make creamy garlic Tuscan chicken, gather these ingredients: - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 2 cups fresh spinach - 1 cup heavy cream - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh basil leaves for garnish When picking out your ingredients, follow these tips for the best flavor: - Chicken: Choose chicken breasts that are bright and firm. Look for no blemishes or discoloration. - Olive oil: Go for extra virgin olive oil. It has the best taste and health benefits. - Garlic: Use fresh garlic for a strong flavor. Avoid pre-minced garlic in jars. - Tomatoes: Select firm, bright cherry tomatoes. They should smell sweet and fresh. - Spinach: Look for vibrant green leaves. Avoid any that are wilted or yellowing. - Cream: Use heavy cream for richness. Check the expiration date for freshness. - Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan gives the best taste. Avoid the pre-packaged kind when possible. If you have dietary needs, consider these swaps: - Chicken: Use turkey breasts or tofu for a lighter option. - Cream: Swap heavy cream for coconut cream for a dairy-free choice. - Cheese: Nutritional yeast can replace Parmesan for a vegan option. - Spinach: Kale or Swiss chard works well if you prefer different greens. - Olive oil: Canola oil or avocado oil are good alternatives. - Italian seasoning: Mix dried basil, oregano, and thyme if you lack the blend. These tips help you gather the best ingredients for a delicious creamy garlic Tuscan chicken. Enjoy the cooking! {{ingredient_image_1}} First, get your chicken breasts ready. I like to use boneless, skinless chicken for this dish. Rinse them under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. This helps them cook evenly. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Next, heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts. Cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side. You want them to be golden brown and cooked all the way through. After that, take the chicken out and set it aside on a plate. In the same skillet, turn the heat down to medium. Add four cloves of minced garlic to the pan. Sauté it for about one minute. You want the garlic fragrant but not burnt. Then, toss in one cup of halved cherry tomatoes. Let them cook for about 2-3 minutes. They should start to soften up nicely. Now, add two cups of fresh spinach. Cook it just until it wilts. It will lose volume fast, so keep an eye on it. Next, pour in one cup of heavy cream. Bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir it all together so the tomatoes and spinach mix with the cream. After that, add half a cup of grated Parmesan cheese and one teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens a bit. Now it's time to bring everything together. Put the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Spoon the creamy sauce over the chicken. Let it simmer for an extra 2-3 minutes. This warms the chicken through and lets the flavors meld. Before serving, taste the sauce. You can add more salt and pepper if needed. Serve the creamy garlic Tuscan chicken on a large plate. Pour a generous amount of sauce over the chicken. For a beautiful touch, garnish with fresh basil leaves and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Enjoy! To cook chicken well, start with boneless, skinless breasts. They cook evenly and stay juicy. Season the chicken with salt and pepper before cooking. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook each side for about 6-7 minutes. Look for a nice golden color. Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken reaches 165°F. This ensures it is safe to eat and not dry. To add depth to your dish, use fresh garlic and Italian seasoning. Garlic brings a rich aroma and taste. Sauté garlic just until fragrant, about one minute. This step is key; you want it warm but not burnt. The heavy cream adds richness, while Parmesan cheese enhances the flavor. Taste the sauce as you go. Adjust with salt and pepper to get the perfect balance. Fresh basil at the end adds a bright touch. When serving creamy garlic Tuscan chicken, presentation matters. Use a large plate and pour the sauce over the chicken. Garnish with fresh basil and a sprinkle of Parmesan. This makes the dish pop visually. For sides, consider garlic bread or a light salad. The bread is great for soaking up the sauce. A crisp salad adds freshness and balances the meal. Enjoy your flavorful creation! Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Always opt for fresh spinach and ripe cherry tomatoes for the best flavor and texture in your dish. Adjust the Creaminess: If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute half of the heavy cream with chicken broth while maintaining the flavor. Perfectly Cooked Chicken: Use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe and juicy results. Enhance with Herbs: For an extra burst of flavor, add a handful of chopped fresh basil or parsley right before serving. {{image_2}} If you're looking for a lighter meal, try these swaps. Use chicken thighs instead of breasts. Thighs stay juicy and have more flavor. You can also replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt. This keeps it creamy but cuts down on fat. Another option is to use low-fat milk mixed with a little cornstarch. This will help thicken your sauce without the added calories. Want to boost the taste? Try adding mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté sliced mushrooms with garlic for a rich, earthy flavor. Sun-dried tomatoes add a sweet and tangy kick. You can mix them into the sauce right after adding the spinach. For a spicy twist, add red pepper flakes. This will give your dish a nice heat without overwhelming it. Making this dish vegetarian is easy! Swap the chicken for hearty vegetables like zucchini or eggplant. Cook them the same way as the chicken. For a vegan version, use tofu or tempeh as a protein source. Replace the heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream. Both options add creaminess while keeping it plant-based. Lastly, ensure your Parmesan is dairy-free if you're vegan. Enjoy your tasty adaptations! To keep the creamy garlic Tuscan chicken fresh, place it in an airtight container. Make sure the dish has cooled down to room temperature before sealing. This helps keep moisture out and preserves the flavors. If you plan to eat it later, store it in the fridge within two hours of cooking. When reheating, use a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of heavy cream to keep the sauce rich and creamy. Stir often to prevent sticking. You can also microwave it, but cover the dish with a paper towel to trap steam and keep it moist. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between. In the fridge, your creamy garlic Tuscan chicken stays good for about 3 to 4 days. If you want to keep it longer, freeze it for up to 2 months. Just be sure to label your container with the date. When you're ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating. It takes about 30 minutes to make creamy garlic Tuscan chicken. You spend 10 minutes prepping and 20 minutes cooking. This quick meal is great for busy nights. You can enjoy a tasty dinner without a long wait. Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts. Just remember to thaw them first. You can leave them in the fridge overnight or use a microwave. Thawed chicken cooks evenly and tastes better in the dish. Creamy garlic Tuscan chicken goes well with many sides. Here are a few great options: - Garlic bread - Steamed broccoli - Rice or pasta - A fresh garden salad These sides balance the rich flavors of the chicken. They also add color to your plate. In this blog post, we explored how to create a delicious creamy garlic Tuscan chicken. We covered the key ingredients, tips for selecting them, and possible substitutions. You learned step-by-step instructions for cooking, along with helpful tips for perfect chicken. We also shared variations to adapt the dish, storage techniques, and answers to common questions. Experiment and enjoy every bite. You can easily make this dish your own!$

Creamy Garlic Tuscan Chicken

A delicious and creamy chicken dish with garlic, spinach, and tomatoes.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients

4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cups fresh spinach
1 cup heavy cream
0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
to taste salt and pepper
for garnish fresh basil leaves

Instructions

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
Once the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts to the skillet. Cook for about 6-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not burnt.
Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for another 2-3 minutes until they start to soften.
Stir in the fresh spinach, cooking just until wilted.
Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir continuously to combine with the tomatoes and spinach.
Add the grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning, stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly.
Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the creamy sauce over them. Let it simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes until the chicken is warmed through.
Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

Notes

Serve with fresh basil and extra Parmesan for garnish.

Keyword chicken, creamy, garlic, spinach, Tuscan