Quick Garlic Cream Chicken

Featured in Hearty Main Courses.

This quick and elegant chicken dish features tender chicken breast in a rich garlic cream sauce with fresh spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. Perfect for both weeknights and special occasions.
Casey
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 20:10:47 GMT
A plate of creamy garlic chicken served over a bed of spinach and pasta, garnished with sun-dried tomatoes. Pin it
A plate of creamy garlic chicken served over a bed of spinach and pasta, garnished with sun-dried tomatoes. | cookingwithcasey.com

This Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken has become my family's most requested dinner. I love how it transforms simple chicken breasts into something truly special with that velvety garlic sauce spinach and those gorgeous sun dried tomatoes. The best part? It only takes me 30 minutes to get this restaurant worthy meal on the table.

Why You'll Fall in Love

Let me tell you what makes this dish so amazing it all happens in one pan and tastes like something from your favorite Italian restaurant. That creamy sauce gets infused with garlic while the spinach adds freshness and those sun dried tomatoes bring the perfect tangy bite. My kids even ask for seconds of their vegetables with this one.

Grab These Ingredients

  • Chicken Breasts: 4 pieces sliced thin they cook more evenly this way
  • Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons for getting that perfect golden sear
  • Heavy Cream: 1 cup it makes the sauce absolutely luxurious
  • Chicken Broth: 1/2 cup adds such wonderful depth
  • Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon for that perfect garlic flavor throughout
  • Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon my favorite blend of herbs
  • Parmesan: 1/2 cup freshly grated makes all the difference
  • Fresh Spinach: 2 cups it wilts down beautifully
  • Sun Dried Tomatoes: 1/2 cup they pack so much flavor

Let's Cook Together

Get That Perfect Sear
First heat your olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it's hot and shimmering add those chicken breasts and let them get nice and golden about 3-5 minutes each side. When they're done set them aside on a plate.
Create That Amazing Sauce
In that same pan we're keeping all those lovely chicken bits pour in your cream chicken broth garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Add the parmesan and whisk everything together until it starts to thicken up just a bit it'll make your kitchen smell incredible.
Add The Veggies
Now's when the magic happens drop in your spinach and sun dried tomatoes. Watch as the spinach starts to wilt and those tomatoes get all plump and fragrant in the sauce.
Bring It All Together
Finally nestle those chicken breasts back into the pan let them get cozy in that sauce. I love spooning the sauce over top to make sure every bite is perfectly coated.
A skillet filled with chicken breasts cooked in a creamy sauce with spinach and sundried tomatoes. Pin it
A skillet filled with chicken breasts cooked in a creamy sauce with spinach and sundried tomatoes. | cookingwithcasey.com

My Best Tips

Here's what I've learned from making this dish countless times. Grate your parmesan fresh it melts so much better than pre grated. I always let my chicken come to room temperature before cooking it helps it cook more evenly. And don't skip checking the internal temperature 165°F is what you're looking for.

Make It Your Own

This recipe is so flexible. Sometimes I'll swap in shrimp for a quick change or use salmon for something special. Mushrooms are amazing in here and artichoke hearts add such a nice touch. Play around with the herbs too rosemary and thyme are lovely additions.

What to Serve It With

We love this over fettuccine or penne pasta those shapes really grab onto the sauce. It's also amazing with creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice. Don't forget some crusty bread to soak up every last drop of that sauce.

Saving Leftovers

If you're lucky enough to have leftovers they'll keep beautifully in the fridge for about 4 days. When you're ready to reheat warm it gently on the stovetop. I usually add a splash of chicken broth or cream to bring the sauce back to life.

A bowl of fettuccine pasta topped with grilled chicken, creamy sauce, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. Pin it
A bowl of fettuccine pasta topped with grilled chicken, creamy sauce, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. | cookingwithcasey.com

Freezer Tips

While I love having this fresh it does freeze wonderfully. Pack it up in an airtight container and it'll keep for up to 6 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge. When you reheat it give it a gentle warm on the stove adding a splash of cream to bring back that silky sauce.

A Fresh Twist

Sometimes I'll finish the dish with a squeeze of fresh lemon it brightens up all those rich flavors beautifully. The citrus works so well with the garlic and spinach adding that perfect pop of freshness.

Restaurant Style at Home

This dish looks and tastes so fancy but it's our little secret how easy it is. I love serving it when friends come over they always think I spent hours in the kitchen. The combination of flavors just feels special.

Meal Prep Magic

I often make a big batch on Sunday it's perfect for meal prep. Portion it out with some pasta or rice and you've got lunches sorted for the week. The flavors actually get even better after a day or two.

Wine Pairings

Love serving this with a crisp white wine. Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio both work beautifully. They cut through the richness of the cream sauce while complementing those Mediterranean flavors.

A bowl of fettuccine pasta topped with creamy sauce, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and a piece of chicken. Pin it
A bowl of fettuccine pasta topped with creamy sauce, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and a piece of chicken. | cookingwithcasey.com

Mix Up The Veggies

Feel free to play with the vegetables. Sometimes I swap the spinach for kale or use roasted cherry tomatoes instead of sun dried. Bell peppers add nice color and mushrooms bring extra earthiness. It's so versatile.

Family Favorite Status

This dish has truly earned its spot in our regular rotation. The creamy sauce wins over even picky eaters and I love that it's packed with vegetables. Plus it's easy enough for weeknights but special enough for company.

Leftover Love

Got leftovers? Shred that chicken and toss it with pasta for an amazing new dish. It makes incredible wraps for lunch or try mixing it into a baked pasta with extra cheese on top pure comfort food.

Perfect for Any Time

What I love most about this recipe is how it works for just about any occasion. Quick enough for busy weeknights fancy enough for date night and always impressive when you're hosting friends.

Healthy Twists

You can make this a bit lighter by using half and half instead of heavy cream. Add extra veggies for more nutrition and serve it over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. It's still creamy and delicious just a little better for you.

A skillet filled with creamy chicken breasts garnished with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. Pin it
A skillet filled with creamy chicken breasts garnished with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. | cookingwithcasey.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, boneless chicken thighs work well in this recipe. They may need a few extra minutes of cooking time but will be very flavorful.
→ What can I substitute for heavy cream?
Half and half can work, though the sauce won't be as thick. For best results, stick with heavy cream for the richest sauce texture.
→ What sides go well with this dish?
Pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes work great to soak up the sauce. You can also serve it with crusty bread and extra vegetables.
→ Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can make it up to 2 days ahead. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of cream if needed to thin the sauce.
→ Can I freeze this dish?
Cream-based sauces can separate when frozen. While safe to freeze, the texture may change when thawed. Best enjoyed fresh or within a few days.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

A restaurant-style chicken dish in rich garlic cream sauce with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes - ready in just 30 minutes.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
25 Minutes
By: Casey

Category: Hearty Main Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 6 Servings (1 large skillet)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced.
02 2 Tablespoons olive oil.
03 1 cup heavy cream.
04 1/2 cup chicken broth.
05 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
06 1 teaspoon italian seasoning.
07 1/2 cup parmesan cheese.
08 1 cup spinach, chopped.
09 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, drained.

Instructions

Step 01

Cook chicken in olive oil over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.

Step 02

Add cream, broth, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and parmesan. Whisk until thickened.

Step 03

Add spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, simmer until spinach wilts.

Step 04

Return chicken to pan and heat through. Serve over pasta if desired.

Notes

  1. Can be served over pasta, rice or potatoes.
  2. Best enjoyed fresh for optimal sauce texture.
  3. Reheats well with a splash of cream if needed.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet.
  • Whisk.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (heavy cream, parmesan).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 368
  • Total Fat: 25 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 7 g
  • Protein: 30 g