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This creamy garlic Tuscan chicken with Parmesan potatoes combines two irresistible dishes into one incredible meal. The succulent chicken breasts smothered in a rich, savory sauce with wilted spinach and sundried tomatoes pair perfectly with crispy, cheesy roasted potatoes. It's the dinner recipe that consistently earns rave reviews whenever I serve it to family or guests.
I first created this dish when trying to recreate my favorite restaurant meal at home. After several attempts to perfect the sauce, my husband declared this version even better than the original we had paid $30 for at our anniversary dinner.
Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: ensure even cooking and provide a lean protein base for the rich sauce
- Olive oil: use a good quality extra virgin variety for best flavor when searing the chicken
- Garlic powder: provides an even flavor coating on the chicken without burning like fresh garlic
- Salt and black pepper: the essentials for properly seasoning any protein
- Fresh spinach: adds vibrant color nutrition and slightly wilts into the creamy sauce
- Sundried tomatoes: concentrated sweet tanginess that defines Tuscan dishes choose oilpacked for best flavor
- Fresh garlic cloves: the aromatic foundation of the sauce providing more complex flavor than powder alone
- Heavy cream: creates the luxurious velvety texture that makes this sauce irresistible
- Parmesan cheese: adds saltiness depth and helps thicken the sauce use freshly grated for best melting
- Italian seasoning: a timesaving blend that adds herbal notes throughout the dish
- Baby potatoes: their waxier texture holds shape while roasting and their thin skins crisp beautifully
- Olive oil: helps achieve that golden exterior and carries the seasonings
- Garlic powder: infuses the potatoes with garlic flavor without burning
- Salt and pepper: essential for properly seasoned potatoes that complement the chicken
- Parmesan cheese: forms a crispy crust on the potatoes as they roast
- Fresh parsley: adds bright color and a fresh herbal note to finish the dish
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Parmesan Potatoes:
- Season and coat the halved baby potatoes thoroughly in a large bowl ensuring each piece gets a good coating of olive oil garlic powder salt pepper and Parmesan. The oil not only prevents sticking but helps the seasonings adhere and promotes browning. Arrange them cut side down on your baking sheet for maximum crispy surface area.
- Sear the Chicken to Perfection:
- Heat your skillet until it's properly hot before adding the oil. This ensures your chicken will sear rather than steam. Cook the chicken without moving it for the first few minutes to develop that gorgeous golden crust. A properly seared exterior locks in juices and creates the foundation of flavor for the entire dish.
- Create the Garlic Cream Base:
- After removing the chicken use the same skillet to capture all those browned bits of flavor. Sauté the minced garlic just until fragrant about 30 seconds before it turns golden to prevent bitterness. Pour in the cream slowly while scraping the pan to incorporate all those flavorful browned bits from the chicken. This is where the magic happens as the sauce begins to build.
- Incorporate the Tuscan Elements:
- Add the sundried tomatoes first allowing them to infuse the cream with their rich flavor before adding the spinach last so it just wilts without overcooking. The vibrant green against the creamy sauce creates a beautiful presentation while adding nutritional balance to the rich dish.
- Reunite the Chicken with the Sauce:
- Return the chicken to the skillet nestling the pieces into the creamy sauce. Allow them to simmer gently so they can absorb the flavors while remaining tender. Spoon the sauce over the chicken continuously to build flavor and ensure every bite is coated in the luxurious sauce.
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The sundried tomatoes are truly the secret weapon in this recipe. I discovered their transformative power in creamy sauces years ago when experimenting with Italian recipes. Their concentrated umami flavor adds a depth that fresh tomatoes simply cannot match, especially during winter months when good fresh tomatoes are hard to find.
Perfect Pairings
This Tuscan chicken works beautifully with a glass of medium-bodied white wine like Pinot Grigio or unoaked Chardonnay. The acidity cuts through the richness of the cream sauce while complementing the savory elements. If serving for a dinner party consider adding a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon and olive oil to balance the richness of the main course.
Making Ahead and Storage
This dish reheats beautifully making it perfect for meal prep. Store the chicken and sauce separately from the potatoes in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the chicken and sauce in a skillet over medium-low heat adding a splash of cream if needed to revive the sauce. The potatoes can be reheated in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes to maintain their crispy texture.
Ingredient Substitutions
If you're looking to lighten the dish half and half can replace heavy cream although the sauce won't be quite as rich. Chicken thighs make an excellent substitute for breasts offering more flavor and moisture tolerance. For a vegetarian version try using portobello mushrooms in place of chicken the meaty texture works wonderfully with the creamy sauce. Kale can stand in for spinach if you prefer a heartier green that holds up well to reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How do I get the sauce to thicken properly?
Ensure the heavy cream is simmered gently with the Parmesan cheese while stirring. This will help the sauce thicken. If needed, cook slightly longer until it reaches your desired consistency.
- → Can I replace spinach with another vegetable?
Yes, you can substitute spinach with kale, Swiss chard, or any other leafy greens. Just adjust the cooking time to ensure the vegetables are tender.
- → What's the best way to sear the chicken?
Heat your skillet with olive oil until hot, then sear the chicken for 5-6 minutes per side. Avoid overcrowding the skillet to ensure even browning.
- → Can I make this dish ahead of time?
You can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time and store them separately in the fridge. Reheat everything gently on the stove to maintain the creamy texture before serving.
- → What are some serving suggestions?
Pair this dish with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. It also pairs well with crispy bread to soak up the creamy sauce.