Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (in oil), drained and sliced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season them evenly on both sides with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning to ensure they are flavorful throughout.
- Heat the oil and sear the chicken: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil until shimmering. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 4–5 minutes per side, until they develop a golden-brown crust and are cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté the garlic: Using the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes: Stir in the sliced sun-dried tomatoes and cook for an additional 1 minute to release their flavor into the garlic and oil.
- Deglaze with chicken broth: Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Simmer this mixture for 3–4 minutes to reduce slightly and concentrate the flavor.
- Add cream and Parmesan: Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, mixing thoroughly. Allow the sauce to simmer gently until it thickens slightly, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add spinach and red pepper flakes: Incorporate the baby spinach and sprinkle with red pepper flakes if using. Cook until the spinach wilts and melds into the creamy sauce.
- Reintroduce the chicken: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Let everything simmer together for 5 minutes to allow the chicken to absorb the flavors and the sauce to finish thickening.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat, garnish the dish with fresh basil or parsley, and serve hot over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes as desired.
Notes
- Substitute chicken thighs for a juicier, more flavorful alternative.
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream to create a lighter sauce.
- Serve this dish over your choice of pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes to complement the creamy sauce.
- The sauce will thicken further as it cools; reheat gently if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired