Creamy Tuscan Marry Me Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach
Creamy Tuscan Chicken gets a Marry Me Chicken-inspired makeover in this easy 30-minute dinner. Tender, golden chicken breasts are simmered in a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, baby spinach and Italian herbs. A touch of red pepper adds just enough heat to balance the creamy sauce.
Serve this easy Tuscan chicken over pasta, mashed potatoes or rice with plenty of sauce spooned over the top. Add crusty bread and a simple salad for a restaurant-worthy weeknight dinner.
This Tuscan chicken dish is so easy to make, yet has so much flavor and a gorgeous presentation; your family will think you slaved over the stove for hours. Let them think that so you get off dish duty!
Tender chicken is seasoned with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika then pan-seared before simmering in a creamy sauce with garlic, onions, white wine, and sun-dried tomatoes. The sun-dried tomatoes are really the flavor maker in this dish with their intense sweet, yet tart flavor profile. Paired with garlic and white wine, they are a match made in culinary heaven!
Skillet meals are a favorite around here because dinner comes together quickly and in one pan.
Take advantage of a sale on boneless, skinless chicken breasts at Safeway to make this delicious creamy Tuscan-inspired skillet chicken dinner this week.
Ingredients in Tuscan Chicken
- Chicken Breasts – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are lean, tender and perfect for soaking up the creamy Tuscan sauce. Slice thick breasts into cutlets for faster, more even cooking.
- Olive Oil – Used to sear the chicken until golden brown. For extra flavor, substitute some of the oil from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes.
- Italian Seasoning – A blend of dried Italian herbs adds savory flavor to the chicken and complements the creamy Parmesan sauce.
- Yellow Onion – Finely diced onion creates a sweet, savory base for the sauce.
- Garlic – Fresh minced garlic gives the Tuscan cream sauce its signature aromatic flavor.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes – Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes provide concentrated tomato flavor, subtle sweetness and a slightly tangy bite. Drain and julienne before adding.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes – Adds a subtle kick of heat that balances the richness of the cream sauce. Use more or less to taste.
- Dry White Wine – Deglazes the skillet and adds acidity and depth to the sauce. Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio or another dry white wine works well.
- Chicken Broth – Adds savory flavor while thinning the cream sauce to the perfect consistency.
- Heavy Cream – Creates the rich, velvety base for the creamy Tuscan sauce. Full-fat coconut cream can be substituted for a dairy-free variation.
- Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated Parmesan melts into the sauce, adding salty, nutty flavor and helping thicken it.
- Baby Spinach – Fresh spinach wilts directly into the sauce, adding color, texture and vegetables to the dish.
- Fresh Basil – Adds a bright, fresh Italian flavor that balances the rich cream sauce. Add it near the end of cooking and use extra for garnish.
- Salt and Black Pepper – Essential for seasoning the chicken and bringing out the flavors of the garlic, tomatoes and Parmesan.
How to Make Tuscan Marry Me Chicken
1. Prepare the chicken.
If the chicken breasts are thick, slice them horizontally into thinner cutlets so they cook quickly and evenly. Season both sides with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning.
2. Sear the chicken.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 4–5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
3. Build the sauce.
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper flakes and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
4. Deglaze the skillet.
Pour in the white wine, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 1–2 minutes to reduce slightly.
5. Make it creamy.
Add the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, then stir in the Parmesan until melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
6. Add the spinach.
Stir in the baby spinach and cook for 1–2 minutes, until just wilted.
7. Finish the chicken.
Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Spoon the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce over the chicken and simmer for another 2–3 minutes. Stir in the fresh basil and season to taste.
What to Serve with Tuscan Chicken
This creamy Tuscan chicken is especially good served over linguine, fettuccine or penne so the pasta can soak up the sun-dried tomato Parmesan sauce. It’s also delicious with:
- Mashed potatoes
- Rice or orzo
- Cauliflower mash
- Roasted vegetables
- Garlic bread or crusty Italian bread
- A simple green salad
Recipe Tips
Use the sun-dried tomato oil. Replace some or all of the olive oil with oil from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes for even more flavor.
Use freshly grated Parmesan. It melts into the cream much more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
Don’t boil the cream sauce. Keep it at a gentle simmer to prevent the sauce from separating.
Make it dairy-free. Substitute full-fat coconut cream for the heavy cream and use your favorite dairy-free Parmesan alternative.
Want more sauce? Increase the chicken broth to ¾ cup and heavy cream to 1¼ cups—especially if you’re serving the chicken over pasta.
Additional Skillet Meals
Cast Iron Tuscan Salmon with Creamy Garlic, Spinach & Sun-dried Tomato Sauce
Skillet Creamy Garlic Lemon Chicken Recipe
Skillet Mexican Chicken and Rice Meal
The Hashinator & Corned Beef Hash Skillet Recipe
Skillet Lasagna Recipe Using Italian Sausage, Spinach and Cheese
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Marry Me Chicken?
Marry Me Chicken is a creamy skillet chicken dish typically made with garlic, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasonings. This version adds fresh spinach for a Tuscan-inspired variation.
Can I make Marry Me Chicken without heavy cream?
Yes. Coconut cream can be substituted for heavy cream for a dairy-free variation, although the flavor will be slightly different.
What pasta goes best with Marry Me Chicken?
Fettuccine, linguine, penne and rigatoni all work well because they hold onto the creamy Parmesan and sun-dried tomato sauce.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work very well and stay particularly tender in the creamy sauce.
Can I make Tuscan chicken ahead of time?
Yes. Store it covered in the refrigerator and gently reheat it over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream if the sauce has thickened.
Creamy Tuscan Marry Me Chicken with Sun-dried Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs. of boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1/3 cup white wine
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil julienned or thinly sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream for dairy-free
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large non-stick skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the pan and cook until golden on both sides - about 4-5 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan and add the minced garlic and chopped onions. Cook for several minutes until soft. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, white wine, cream, and chicken broth and stir well to combine.
- Reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce reduces slightly. Add the parmesan cheese and stir to incorporate.
- Add the chicken back into the skillet and simmer covered, over low heat until it is fully cooked through in the middle, another 3-5 minutes. Gently stir in the spinach and allow it to wilt. Check for seasoning and adjust with extra salt and pepper as needed.
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