This restaurant-worthy Creamy Tuscan Chicken combines tender chicken breasts with a luscious dairy-free cream sauce, vibrant sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach. Made in just one skillet in under 30 minutes, this impressive dish delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort – perfect for busy weeknights when you want something special without the fuss.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, julienned (oil-packed, drained)
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 1 1/2 cups dairy-free cream (unsweetened coconut cream or cashew cream)
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast (optional, for a cheesy flavor)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season generously on both sides with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. If the chicken breasts are very thick, consider butterflying them or pounding to an even thickness (about 1/2 inch) for more even cooking.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and nearly cooked through (internal temperature around 155°F, as it will continue cooking in the sauce). Transfer chicken to a plate and tent loosely with foil.
- Reduce heat to medium and add a touch more oil if needed. Add diced onion to the same skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes to release their flavors. The tomatoes will infuse the oil with their rich, tangy essence.
- Add fresh spinach to the skillet and stir until just wilted, about 1-2 minutes. The spinach will dramatically reduce in volume as it cooks.
- Pour in the dairy-free cream and nutritional yeast (if using). Stir well to combine all ingredients and scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – these contain tons of flavor! Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Stir in lemon zest for brightness. Taste sauce and adjust seasoning if needed with additional salt and pepper.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving. The vibrant green herbs add a pop of color and fresh flavor to finish the dish.
Pro Tips
Pro Tip #1: For extra flavor, deglaze the pan with 1/4 cup of white wine or chicken broth after sautéing the garlic and onions. Let it reduce by half before adding the sun-dried tomatoes. This step adds remarkable depth to your sauce.
Pro Tip #2: The key to perfectly seared chicken is patience! Don’t flip the chicken too early. Wait until it naturally releases from the pan, which signals that it’s properly seared. If it sticks, it’s not ready to flip yet.
Pro Tip #3: For a thicker sauce, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water and stir this slurry into the simmering sauce. For a thinner sauce, add a splash of chicken broth until you reach your desired consistency.
Pro Tip #4: Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil have more flavor than dry-packed varieties. Save the flavored oil from the jar to use in salad dressings or for sautéing vegetables in other dishes!
Variations
Mediterranean Twist: Add 1/4 cup of pitted kalamata olives and 1/4 cup of artichoke hearts along with the sun-dried tomatoes. Finish with a sprinkle of dairy-free feta-style cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired version that’s equally delicious.
Protein Swap: This recipe works beautifully with boneless pork chops, shrimp, or firm tofu instead of chicken. For shrimp, reduce the initial cooking time to just 1-2 minutes per side, and for tofu, press it well before cooking and use extra-firm variety for the best texture.
Spicy Kick: For heat lovers, add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic, or stir in 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite hot sauce into the cream sauce. The spiciness balances beautifully with the richness of the cream.
Serving Suggestions
This Creamy Tuscan Chicken pairs perfectly with so many sides! Serve it over al dente pasta (linguine or fettuccine work wonderfully) to soak up the delicious sauce. For a lighter option, try zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice.
A side of roasted asparagus or steamed green beans adds color and nutrition to complete the meal. For a truly Tuscan experience, serve with a side of crusty bread to mop up every last bit of the heavenly sauce.
For an elegant presentation, transfer the chicken to a serving platter, pour the sauce over, and garnish with fresh herbs and lemon wedges. A light sprinkle of dairy-free parmesan alternative adds a beautiful finishing touch.
Nutritional Notes
This Creamy Tuscan Chicken offers approximately 320-350 calories per serving when made with coconut cream. It’s high in protein from the chicken breast (about 28g per serving) and offers beneficial nutrients from the spinach, including iron, calcium, and vitamins A and K.
The sun-dried tomatoes provide lycopene, an antioxidant known for promoting heart health. Using dairy-free cream makes this dish friendly for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies while still providing the rich creaminess you crave.
A Little History
While this dish is inspired by Tuscan flavors, the “Tuscan chicken” we know today is more of an Italian-American creation than an authentic Tuscan recipe. The combination of sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and cream sauce became popular in Italian-American restaurants in the 1980s and 1990s.
I first discovered this dish at a small Italian bistro during a rainy evening in Boston. The chef shared that his dairy-free version was created for his lactose-intolerant daughter, proving that dietary restrictions don’t have to mean sacrificing flavor. I’ve been perfecting my own version ever since, and it’s become a requested favorite for both special occasions and cozy weeknight dinners.