Description
Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a flavorful and comforting skillet dish featuring juicy, seared chicken breasts simmered in a rich and creamy sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for an elegant weeknight dinner, this meal pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat skillet: Preheat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil to prepare for searing the chicken.
- Season chicken: Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper to enhance flavor before cooking.
- Sear chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the skillet and sear until browned on both sides, approximately 6-7 minutes per side, locking in juices and developing a nice crust.
- Remove chicken: Take the chicken out of the skillet and set aside on a plate to rest while preparing the sauce.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, infusing the oil with garlic flavor.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes to soften and release their flavor.
- Add liquids and herbs: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then add dried oregano and dried basil, stirring to combine the sauce ingredients.
- Simmer sauce: Bring the sauce mixture to a gentle simmer, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste for balanced seasoning.
- Return chicken to skillet: Place the chicken breasts back into the skillet, submerging them in the creamy sauce, and simmer for about 10 minutes to cook through and meld flavors.
- Add Parmesan cheese: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the chicken and sauce to enrich the creaminess and flavor.
- Thicken sauce: Continue simmering for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce has thickened to a luscious consistency.
- Garnish: Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley for a touch of color and freshness.
- Serve: Serve the Creamy Tuscan Chicken hot over your choice of pasta, rice, or with crusty bread for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken breasts in olive oil, garlic, and herbs for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier, more tender result.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil can enhance richness; drain before chopping.
- The sauce can be thickened further by simmering longer or adding a small slurry of cornstarch and water.
- Fresh herbs like basil or thyme can be used as garnish for variation.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
