Creamy Baked Tuscan Chicken Recipe

Creamy Baked Tuscan Chicken is a luscious, flavor-packed dish that combines juicy, tender chicken with a creamy sauce made with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a blend of cheeses. It’s an irresistible Italian-inspired meal that can be easily prepared in one baking dish, perfect for family dinners, special occasions, or impressing guests. The best part? It’s incredibly versatile and pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Rich and Flavorful: A creamy, cheesy sauce combined with tangy sun-dried tomatoes and garlic.
2. One-Pan Meal: Minimal cleanup as everything is baked in a single dish.
3. Customizable: Easily adaptable to suit dietary preferences or additional veggies.

How to Make Creamy Baked Tuscan Chicken

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

1. Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
3. Sear the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown. (The chicken does not need to be fully cooked as it will finish in the oven.)
4. Transfer to Baking Dish: Once seared, place the chicken breasts in a baking dish and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Creamy Tuscan Sauce

1. Melt Butter and Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
2. Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, allowing them to cook briefly with the garlic for extra flavor.
3. Pour in the Cream and Broth: Add the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring until well combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
4. Add Seasonings: Stir in Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and a pinch of salt and black pepper.
5. Add Cheeses: Gradually add the Parmesan and mozzarella, stirring until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth.

Step 3: Add Spinach and Pour Sauce Over Chicken

1. Add Spinach: Add fresh spinach to the sauce, stirring gently until it wilts. Spinach will cook down and blend into the sauce, adding both flavor and nutrients.
2. Pour Sauce Over Chicken: Carefully pour the creamy Tuscan sauce over the chicken breasts in the baking dish, covering them evenly.

Step 4: Bake the Chicken

1. Cover with Foil: For extra moistness, you can cover the baking dish with foil. (This step is optional but helps keep the chicken tender.)
2. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
3. Uncover and Broil (Optional): For a golden, bubbly top, remove the foil and broil the dish for the last 2-3 minutes of baking.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

1. Garnish: Once the chicken is out of the oven, sprinkle fresh basil or parsley on top for color and extra flavor.
2. Serve: Serve the chicken with extra Parmesan on top and enjoy with a side of pasta, rice, or bread.

Tips for the Best Creamy Baked Tuscan Chicken

1. Use Quality Chicken: Fresh, high-quality chicken breasts will give the best texture and flavor.
2. Sear for Flavor: Searing locks in moisture and adds a delicious golden crust.
3. Choose Heavy Cream: Heavy cream makes the sauce richer, but half-and-half or a light cream can be used for a lighter version.

Variations

1. Add Mushrooms: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the garlic for an earthy twist.
2. Make It Spicier: Use more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne for extra heat.
3. Lower-Fat Option: Substitute half the cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter but still creamy sauce.

Serving Suggestions

1. With Pasta: Serve over fettuccine, linguine, or penne for a classic pairing.
2. Alongside Rice: Creamy Tuscan chicken pairs beautifully with jasmine or basmati rice.
3. With Crusty Bread: Use bread to soak up every drop of the delicious sauce.

FAQs

1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
   • Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great in this recipe. Adjust cooking time as thighs may take a bit longer to bake.
2. Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
   • Yes, substitute the heavy cream with a dairy-free cream alternative, such as coconut cream or almond milk. Use a dairy-free cheese or nutritional yeast for flavor.
3. What if my sauce is too thick?
   • If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of broth or cream to reach your desired consistency.
4. How can I make this dish even more flavorful?
   • Marinate the chicken with garlic, Italian seasoning, and olive oil for 30 minutes before searing. It infuses extra flavor right into the meat.
5. What if I don’t have sun-dried tomatoes?
   • Substitute with cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, or omit them entirely if desired.

Final Thoughts

Creamy Baked Tuscan Chicken is an easy, elegant meal that will satisfy everyone at the dinner table. With tender chicken smothered in a garlic-infused, sun-dried tomato and spinach cream sauce, this dish brings comforting flavors with minimal effort. It’s a one-dish wonder perfect for a cozy night in or any special occasion. Pair it with pasta, rice, or fresh bread for a complete meal that’s sure to be a hit!

Yield: 4

Creamy Baked Tuscan Chicken Recipe

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Creamy Baked Tuscan Chicken is a luscious, flavor-packed dish that combines juicy, tender chicken with a creamy sauce made with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a blend of cheeses. It’s an irresistible Italian-inspired meal that can be easily prepared in one baking dish, perfect for family dinners, special occasions, or impressing guests. The best part? It’s incredibly versatile and pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.

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Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup fresh baby spinach
• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season and Sear Chicken:
   Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In a large oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Make the Creamy Sauce:
   In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese, stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
4. Add Spinach:
   Stir in the baby spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes, until it begins to wilt.
5. Bake the Chicken:
   Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them in the sauce. Spoon some of the sauce over the chicken. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through.
6. Serve:
   Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh basil or parsley, and serve warm. This creamy Tuscan chicken pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or a side of crusty bread.

Notes

• For extra flavor, sprinkle a bit of mozzarella cheese on top of the chicken before baking.
• You can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream for a lighter version, but the sauce may be less creamy.