I am not Italian, but ever since I mastered Italy's most steadying national dish, Creamy Tuscan Chicken, I feel like claiming citizenship. This authentic Tuscan creamy chicken recipe is packed with the rich flavors of the Italian countryside. When I hear Tuscan, I think of sun-dried tomatoes, which are a primary ingredient in this beautiful recipe. It is savory and quite a sight to behold - perfect for a fancy weeknight dinner as it is not much of a hassle. So, let's make this one-pan meal together!
This recipe is:
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- Low Carb
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- Keto
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- Gluten Free
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- Paleo
Table of Contents
5 Reasons to Love This Recipe
This Keto Tuscan chicken is a staple in my household for solid reasons like:
- Packed with authentic flavors of the Italian countryside.
- Delicious weeknight dinner option.
- Low carb and keto-friendly.
- Looks beautiful on a plate.
- One pan meal- minimum cleaning.
Is Creamy Tuscan Chicken Low-carb?
Yes, the traditional ingredients in true creamy Tuscan chicken like chicken, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes are super low in carbs.
This recipe has a total carb count of 20 g, and each serving has less than 5 g net carbs. Could it get better? The healthy Tuscan chicken dish is perfectly balanced to satisfy low-carb and keto dieters, so don't worry about the carb count—it's all balanced!
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Ingredient List
Creamy Tuscan chicken with authentic flavors from Tuscany (Italian countryside) requires the following ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, diced
- 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes (about 25 tomatoes)
- 4 cups baby spinach (loosely packed)
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon clarified butter
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon oregano, dried
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
NOTE: I used oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes. The Parmesan cheese is fresh and shaved with a micrograter.
Ingredient Substitutions
If you don't have some ingredients, swap them with these superb alternatives. You will still get excellent results:
- Clarified butter: Use duck fat, rendered bacon fat, ghee, or olive oil.
- Garlic cloves: Substitute with 1 teaspoon of granulated garlic. Taste and adjust.
- Dried oregano: A premixed Italian seasoning blend will add rich Italian flavors.
- Heavy cream: Coconut cream is a fantastic dairy-free alternative for this dish. I love the perfect combination of the slight coconut flavors and sweet tanginess of the tomatoes.
Additional Ingredients
Great additions to the Tuscan chicken recipe with sun-dried tomatoes are:
- Artichoke hearts: Roughly chopped artichoke hearts marinated in oil will introduce new flavors and texture to the dish. Add the ingredient sparingly to avoid a carb spike.
- Sauteed mushrooms: This is a perfect way of utilizing leftover sauteed mushrooms. Toss them in with the cream. If you don't have any leftover mushrooms, sauté some in the hot pan after cooking the chicken.
- Asparagus: Chop asparagus into 1-inch pieces (remove the woody bits), then add simultaneously with the tomatoes for a richer flavor.
- Spices: I love some heat from red pepper flakes. Dried thyme or basil will enhance the dish's flavor profile.
- Lemon zest: Fresh lemon zest sprinkled last adds freshness and garnishes the dish.
- Basil: Fresh basil makes the dish more delightful.
NOTE: These ingredients are not part of the original recipe or the recipe card below. Use them to enhance or customize the recipe to your liking.
Cooking Tools
Creamy Tuscan chicken requires a few essential tools:
- A large skillet
- Knife and chopping board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon and spatula
How to Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken: Complete Cooking Guide
Cooking Method
Sautee
Preparation Steps
- Dice the sun-dried tomatoes.
- Wash and slice the spinach. Mince the garlic.
Cooking Instructions
- Heat the large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the butter and wait for it to shimmer.
- Add the skinless chicken breasts. Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown is cooked through.
- The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate. Tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
- Lower the heat to medium and add the 3 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet.
- Once melted, add the minced garlic and dried oregano. Stir until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Stir frequently until they begin to burst and release their juices (3-4 minutes). This adds a lovely, fresh tomato flavor to the dish.
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes and crumbled bacon. Cook for one minute to combine the flavors.
- Add the fresh baby spinach to the skillet and stir until they wilt. This should not be more than 2 minutes. The spinach should retain some of its texture and color.
- Add the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer until it thickens.
- Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning some of the sauce and veggies over it. Cook for another 2-3 minutes over low heat to reheat the chicken.
Step 1: Heat the large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the butter.
Step 2: Add the skinless chicken breasts to the pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side.
Step 3: Add the minced garlic, dried oregano and cherry tomatoes.
Step 4: Add the sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled bacon and baby spinach.
Step 5: Add the heavy cream and sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese.
Step 6: Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon some of the sauce and vegetables over it.
💡 My Pro Tip
Chicken breasts seem to be larger these days. The larger the chicken breast, the longer the cooking. For a speedier cooking time, slice the breast in half lengthwise with a sharp knife. The best thing about this trick is that you create extra portions.
Extra chicken portions mean more surface area, which calls for a seasoning adjustment. Adjust the salt and paper to taste. If you slice your chicken breasts to get thinner cutlets, avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook the chicken cutlets in batches for perfect browning. A crowded pan will steam the chicken instead of giving you a nice golden-brown sear.
⏲️ Time-Saving Tips
Be Efficient
- Garlic press: A solid garlic press is a lifesaver if you hate chopping garlic like me. After pressing enough for your recipe, toss the press in the dishwasher.
- Pre-grated Parmesan: Pre-grated or freshly shaved parmesan cheese will reduce cooking time.
Stress-free cooking
- Cook the chicken breasts ahead of time to breeze through the cooking process. I have used grilled chicken breasts before, and the recipe turned out great. The only difference is that you must wait to add the chicken towards the end of the cooking.
What to Serve with Creamy Tuscan Chicken?
Creamy Tuscan chicken passes as a handsome lunch or dinner dish, meaning there are many delicious sides to pair it with. My top favorites are:
- Garlic Bread: A low-carb or keto bread is a great way to scoop up the creamy chicken. I always fall for crusty bread, especially if it is low-carb.
- Spiralized Asian Carrot Salad: The refreshing carrot crunch and the slightly sweet dressing on the salad contrast the Tuscan chicken's flavor well.
- Roasted Beet Salad: The roasted beets, shallots, and dijon vinaigrette dressing combine to form beautiful flavors that complement the Tuscan creamy chicken.
- Arugula Mushroom Salad: The mushrooms' earthy tones and peppery arugula in this salad make it a delightful side.
- Bacon Avocado Salad: Add some avocado salad with the creamy chicken for a perfect meal.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Storage Tips
- The dish stores well in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. When cooled, transfer your leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate. The sauce will get watery and separate if it sits longer than 5 days in the fridge.
Reheating Tips
- I reheat this dish in a pan over medium-low heat on the stovetop. It refreshes amazingly. Avoid the Microwave as it tends to heat the sauce way before the chicken gets a chance to warm through.
Freezing
- Creamy Tuscan chicken does not freeze well. The creamy sauce gets watery and separates.
Recipe Conclusion
I love one-pan chicken dinners like this Creamy Tuscan Chicken recipe. Each ingredient adds a punch of flavor that contributes to the original Tuscany goodness. My favorite thing about the recipe is its beautiful, classy appeal, created by the emerald green wilted spinach and ruby red tomatoes. I also like that it is a one-pan dish that requires minimum cleanup.
Did you try the recipe? Let me know in the comments below and don't forget to rate the recipe!
Other Delicious Chicken Breast Recipes to Try
FAQs
Traditional Tuscan sauce has heavy cream, parmesan cheese, butter, garlic, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs.
Yes, creamy Tuscan chicken thighs are a thing. Chicken thighs are juicy and flavorful, thus perfect for a Tuscan chicken recipe.
Tuscan sauce is inspired by the rich culinary tradition of the Tuscany region in central Italy. Tuscany culinary culture is centered around cooking simple dishes with great flavors from fresh, high-quality ingredients.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Recipe 🍗
Ingredients
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Ingredients List
- 4 chicken breasts boneless and skinless
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes diced
- 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes about 25 tomatoes
- 4 cups baby spinach loosely packed
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tablespoon clarified butter
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- NOTE: I used oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes. The Parmesan cheese is fresh and shaved with a micrograter.
Instructions
Cooking Instructions
- Heat the large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the butter and wait for it to shimmer.
- Add the skinless chicken breasts. Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown is cooked through.
- The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate. Tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
- Lower the heat to medium and add the 3 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet.
- Once melted, add the minced garlic and dried oregano. Stir until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Stir frequently until they begin to burst and release their juices (3-4 minutes). This adds a lovely, fresh tomato flavor to the dish.
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes and crumbled bacon. Cook for one minute to combine the flavors.
- Add the fresh baby spinach to the skillet and stir until they wilt. This should not be more than 2 minutes. The spinach should retain some of its texture and color.
- Add the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer until it thickens.
- Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning some of the sauce and veggies over it. Cook for another 2-3 minutes over low heat to reheat the chicken.
Notes
Nutrition
“This website provides approximate nutrition data and information for convenience and as a courtesy only.”
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