Ever wondered why Tuscan dishes are so popular in the U.S.? The rich flavors and creamy sauces of this Tuscan chicken recipe bring Italy’s taste to your table. It’s made with juicy chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan cheese. It’s a comforting meal that everyone will love.
This easy Tuscan chicken dish is inspired by Olive Garden’s favorite. But it’s even better homemade. By searing the chicken and simmering it in a creamy sauce, you get a top-notch meal at home. It’s perfect for a cozy Italian dinner or to impress guests with this Tuscan chicken skillet.
Key Takeaways
- Tuscan chicken is a creamy, flavorful Italian-inspired dish that has become increasingly popular in the United States.
- This recipe features juicy chicken breasts simmered in a sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan cheese.
- The dish takes inspiration from the classic Olive Garden Tuscan Garlic Chicken, but with a homemade twist that’s even more delicious.
- The recipe is easy to make, taking just 30 minutes from start to finish, making it a great choice for a weeknight dinner.
- Leftover Tuscan chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months, making it a great option for meal prep.
What is Tuscan Chicken?
Tuscan chicken is a tasty Italian dish that’s become very popular. It’s made with creamy sauce, white wine, cream, and spinach. But what makes it Tuscan is the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, adding a rich flavor to the chicken.
Origin and Inspiration
The exact start of Tuscan chicken isn’t known, but it’s linked to Olive Garden’s Tuscan Garlic Chicken. This dish inspired many to make their own creamy, Italian-style chicken. It’s a cozy meal that shows off Tuscan cooking.
The secret to Tuscan chicken is its mix of tastes. The chicken is savory, the sauce is creamy with garlic, and the sun-dried tomatoes add a tangy sweetness. It’s a true taste of Tuscan cooking.
“Tuscan chicken is a delightful fusion of classic Italian flavors, creating a dish that is both comforting and elegant.”
Ingredients for the Tuscan Chicken Recipe
The Tuscan chicken recipe is packed with flavor thanks to key ingredients. You’ll need boneless, skinless chicken breasts, an aromatic Italian seasoning blend, and fragrant garlic. Also, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, rich heavy cream, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese are essential. These ingredients mix to create a creamy sauce that perfectly coats the chicken.
To get started, you’ll need:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds total)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 8 ounces sliced brown mushrooms
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
With these ingredients, you’re ready to make a delicious Tuscan chicken dish at home. The flavors are truly amazing!
Tuscan Chicken Recipe: Step-by-Step Instructions
Making the perfect Tuscan chicken is easy with this guide. First, let’s get the chicken ready.
Preparing the Chicken
Begin by seasoning the chicken breasts with Italian spices, salt, and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken until it’s golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
This step creates a tasty crust that keeps the juices in. After searing, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
Making the Tuscan Sauce
In the same skillet, sauté the onions until they’re soft. Add the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes next. Cook for another minute or two, letting the flavors mix.
Then, toss in the fresh spinach and sauté until it’s just wilted. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Let the sauce simmer and thicken.
Put the seared chicken back in the pan. Let it cook in the creamy Tuscan sauce for 17-20 minutes. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 162-165°F. This makes a delicious, perfectly cooked Tuscan chicken dish.
This Tuscan chicken recipe is a hit for any occasion. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a meal to impress friends. It’s both tasty and easy to make.
The Tuscan Chicken Recipe
This Tuscan chicken recipe is perfect for a quick, impressive Italian dinner. It’s made in one skillet, ideal for busy nights. Chicken breasts are golden brown, then simmered in a rich sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and parmesan.
The result is a tender, flavorful baked tuscan chicken dish. It’s great with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad. Plus, leftovers reheat well, making it a great meal prep choice.
Ingredients for Tuscan Chicken
- 1 lb (453 g) boneless skinless chicken breast
- ½ cup (65 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons avocado or olive oil
- ½ cup (70 g) yellow onion
- 1 (68 g) red bell pepper
- ½ cup (55 g) sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 ½ Tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- ½ cup (118 ml) chicken broth
- 1 ¼ cups (296 ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (30 g) grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups (60 g) baby spinach
This easy tuscan chicken dinner is ready in about 30 minutes. It’s a quick, delicious meal option.
“The original Tuscan chicken recipe featured pan-seared chicken in a garlic Parmesan sauce with wilted spinach and red bell peppers served over fettuccine pasta.”
Over the years, both fresh and sun-dried tomatoes have been used in tuscan chicken recipes. Sun-dried tomatoes come in two forms: oil-packed and dried. If using oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, they should be patted dry before use.
Tuscan chicken pairs well with many sides. Try it with pasta, polenta, mashed potatoes, mashed cauliflower, rice, or farro. The creamy sauce goes great with these options.
Conclusion
This Tuscan chicken recipe is loved by all, offering a simple, comforting meal. It combines juicy chicken with a creamy sauce and Italian seasonings. This makes it a hit, whether served with pasta, rice, or a salad.
It’s great for a quick, weeknight dinner because it’s easy to make. The creamy tuscan chicken is also loved by families. It has flavors that everyone enjoys, making it a favorite in many homes.
This recipe has been a favorite for nearly two decades. It’s known for its chicken, creamy sauce, and Italian flavors. You can try different versions, but the core ingredients always shine through.
FAQ
What is Tuscan chicken?
Tuscan chicken is a tasty Italian dish. It has juicy chicken breasts in a creamy sauce. The sauce includes sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and parmesan cheese.
Where did Tuscan chicken originate?
Tuscan chicken started as a twist on Italian Florentine sauce. It added garlic and sun-dried tomatoes to the mix. Olive Garden’s Tuscan Garlic Chicken helped make it popular in the U.S.
What are the main ingredients in Tuscan chicken?
The key ingredients are chicken breasts, Italian spices, garlic, onions, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese. Olive oil is used for searing the chicken and making the sauce.
How do you make Tuscan chicken?
First, season the chicken with Italian spices, salt, and pepper. Then, sear it until it’s golden. Next, make the Tuscan sauce by sautéing onions, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Add spinach, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese to the sauce. Finally, add the seared chicken back to the pan to cook in the sauce.
What makes Tuscan chicken so popular?
Tuscan chicken is loved for its easy, one-pan meal. It’s both comforting and elegant. The mix of juicy chicken, creamy sauce, and Italian seasonings is very tasty.
Its simple preparation and rich flavors make it great for a weeknight dinner.
Leave a Reply