Description
A comforting and quick one-pan dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich, creamy sauce with tangy sun dried tomatoes, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and fresh spinach. Perfect for busy weeknights, this flavorful skillet meal is ready in under 30 minutes and pleases the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Sauce
- 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes (oil-packed recommended)
- 3/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Vegetables
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves (optional but recommended)
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (or substitute fresh basil or oregano)
Instructions
- Prepare and Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Generously season both sides with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs to ensure flavor and help form a beautiful crust during cooking.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear each side for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and nearly cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest while preparing the sauce.
- Create the Flavorful Base: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sun dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, allowing the tomato flavor to infuse into the oil.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream or half-and-half and stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens to a silky, smooth consistency.
- Combine Chicken and Spinach: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestle them into the creamy sauce, and add fresh spinach leaves. Cover with a lid and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the spinach has wilted.
- Final Touches: Stir everything gently to coat the chicken evenly with sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. The dish is ready to serve.
Notes
- Let chicken come to room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking to ensure even cooking.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; sear chicken in batches if necessary for the best crust.
- Use oil-packed sun dried tomatoes for more intense flavor and a softer texture.
- Freshly grate Parmesan cheese for better melt and flavor.
- Simmer the sauce gently to avoid boiling and prevent curdling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
Keywords: Creamy chicken, sun dried tomato, one-pan meal, quick dinner, easy skillet recipe, family-friendly, gluten free