Stovetop Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich garlic cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach, perfect for a quick Italian-inspired dinner. This italian-inspired chicken (low carb) ready in about 35 minutes pairs olive oil, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (about 1.5 lbs) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1/3 cup chopped (oil-packed, drained) sun-dried tomatoes
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add chicken to skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter in the same skillet. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes and 1 tsp dried Italian herbs, cooking for 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Add 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, stirring until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 3-4 minutes.
- Step 5: Add 4 cups fresh baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. If desired, sprinkle 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
- Step 6: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon sauce over, and simmer for another 2 minutes to meld flavors. Serve hot.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Stovetop Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Stovetop Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stovetop Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Stovetop Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Stovetop Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes low carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.