Tuscan Chicken Recipe

Rich, creamy, and packed with flavor, this Tuscan chicken recipe will be a new favorite! It’s made with simple, healthy ingredients and comes together quickly for a meal you’ll make again and again.

Top view of Tuscan chicken in a rich sauce garnished with fresh basil in a cast iron skillet with lemon slices on the side.

After a full morning with two kids under three, lunches tend to be the simplest meal of the day in my home. While I love delicious, hearty meals like chicken enchilada casserole, usually I stick to my simple favorites for lunch like sardine fish cakes or sweet potato and ground beef.

That’s one reason I love Tuscan chicken so much! Not only is it quick and simple enough to make for lunch, but it’s packed with incredible flavor and has a presentation worthy of a Friday night dinner party.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

Versatile meal – This recipe is fancy enough to serve at an evening party and simple enough to make for a quick lunch.

Healthy recipe – Tuscan chicken is made with simple, nourishing ingredients and is packed with protein, good fats, and even some veggies!

Adult and kid-friendly – Even kids will enjoy the rich, creamy flavor of this dish (they just might pick out the vegetables ;).

Rich, velvety flavor – Tomatoes and spinach are cooked in a creamy parmesan sauce that perfectly compliments the chicken.

Close up of Tuscan chicken in a rich sauce garnished with fresh basil.

Tips for Success

Don’t overcook the chicken – Chicken breasts should only take 10-14 minutes to cook, flipping halfway through.

Use freshly-grated parmesan – While pre-shredded parmesan will work in a pinch, freshly-grated parmesan has a richer flavor and creates a smoother sauce.

Make sure to add the basil at the end – Fresh basil should be cooked as minimally as possible to maintain its signature flavor.

Don’t skip the lemon wedges – While they’re technically optional, I highly recommend garnishing this dish with a little small amount of freshly-squeezed lemon juice. It takes the flavor to a whole new level!

FAQs

How do I store Tuscan chicken leftovers?

To store, place Tuscan chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. For best results, reheat in the oven.

What is the best cream for Tuscan chicken?

Heavy cream is best for Tuscan chicken, giving this dish its signature richness.

What is a substitute for heavy cream in Tuscan chicken?

If you’re dairy free, you can substitute full-fat canned coconut milk for the heavy cream in Tuscan chicken.

Tuscan chicken in a rich sauce garnished with fresh basil in a cast iron skillet.

Tools You May Need

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Labeled ingredients on a wooden background including Roma tomatoes, parmesan cheese, baby spinach, salt and pepper, oregano, chicken breasts, garlic, butter, basil, heavy cream, onion, and lemon slices.

Ingredients

  • Chicken breasts – Fresh or thawed.
  • Roma tomatoes – Thinly sliced. You can substitute halved cherry tomatoes if you prefer.
  • Baby spinach
  • Heavy cream – If you’re dairy free, you can substitute full-fat canned coconut milk instead.
  • Onion – Finely chopped.
  • Parmesan cheese – Freshly shredded. While pre-shredded cheese will work, the sauce won’t be quite as flavorful or smooth.
  • Butter Homemade butter from raw milk is my favorite, but regular butter is delicious as well. If you’re dairy free, feel free to substitute olive oil or coconut oil.
  • Garlic cloves – Minced.
  • Spices – For the best flavor, use quality spices without additives. Mountain Rose Herbs is my favorite affordable source for organic, premium spices.
  • Salt – Sea salt or Himalayan.
  • Fresh basil – Chopped. Adds a peppery freshness to Tuscan chicken you don’t want to miss!
  • Lemon wedges (optional) – To take this dish to a whole new level, garnish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Four chicken breasts cooking in butter in a skillet.

Step 1: First, heat a skillet on medium heat and melt 1 tablespoon of butter in it. While it’s heating, season the chicken breasts with the dried spices and salt.

When the skillet is hot, place the seasoned chicken breasts in it and cook them for 5-7 minutes on each side until cooked through.

Then remove the chicken from the pan.

Chopped onion and minced garlic cooking in butter in a skillet.

Step 2: Turn the temperature down to medium-low and add the rest of the butter to the skillet. Use a spatula to loosen any bits of stuck on chicken.

Then add the chopped onion and cook for a few minutes until it becomes translucent. Then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.

Tomato slices, chopped onion, and minced garlic cooking in a cast iron skillet.

Step 3: Next, add the tomato slices and cook until the skins begin peeling off. This typically takes 5-8 minutes.

Cooking spinach and tomato slices in a cast iron skillet.

Step 4: Now add the baby spinach and cook it until it wilts, about 2 minutes.

Creamy sauce with spinach and tomatoes in a cast iron skillet.

Step 5: Then whisk in the heavy cream and cheese.

Bring the sauce to a slow simmer, and let it cook for about 5 minutes until it’s slightly reduced. Make sure to whisk frequently to prevent burning.

Top view of Tuscan chicken in a rich sauce garnished with fresh basil in a cast iron skillet with lemon slices on the side.

Step 6: Finally, add the chopped basil and chicken to the skillet, and let the sauce continue to simmer until the chicken is heated through.

Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges as garnish.

If you try this recipe, let me know in the comments! Tag me on Instagram @violet_rightathome

More Clean Eating Chicken Recipes

Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash

Chicken and Gravy Recipe

Easy Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

Slow Cooker Indian Chicken Curry

Top view of Tuscan chicken in a rich sauce garnished with fresh basil in a cast iron skillet.

Tuscan Chicken

Rich, creamy, and flavorful, this Tuscan chicken recipe is made with healthy ingredients and comes together quickly for a meal you'll love.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Clean Eating Dinner Recipes, Clean Eating Lunch Recipes
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 729kcal
Author: Violet Parcha

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts fresh or thawed
  • 4 roma tomatoes thinly sliced
  • 3 cups baby spinach
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 onion finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 1/4 cup butter divided
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 4 lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

  • Heat a skillet on medium heat and melt 1 tablespoon of butter in it.
  • Season the chicken breasts with oregano, salt, and pepper.
    4 chicken breasts, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon oregano
  • When the skillet is hot, place the seasoned chicken breasts in it and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until they're cooked through. Remove from the pan.
  • Turn the temperature down to medium-low and add the rest of the butter to the skillet. Use a spatula to loosen any bits of stuck on chicken.
  • Add the chopped onion and cook for a few minutes until it becomes translucent.
    1/2 onion
  • Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
    4 garlic cloves
  • Place the tomato slices in the skillet and cook until the skins begin peeling off, about 5-8 minutes.
    4 roma tomatoes
  • Add the baby spinach and cook it until it wilts, about 2 minutes.
    3 cups baby spinach
  • Whisk in the heavy cream and cheese.
    1 1/2 cups heavy cream, 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
  • Bring the sauce to a slow simmer, and let it cook for about 5 minutes until it's slightly reduced. Make sure to whisk frequently to prevent burning.
  • Add the chopped basil and chicken to the skillet, and let the sauce continue to simmer until the chicken is heated through.
    1 tablespoon fresh basil
  • Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges as garnish.
    4 lemon wedges

Notes

Tuscan chicken can be served over rice, pasta, cauliflower rice, or even potatoes. My personal favorite way to eat it is with a loaf of crusty sourdough bread.

Substitutions

  • If you’re dairy free, you can substitute olive oil or coconut oil for the butter and full-fat canned coconut milk for the heavy cream.
  • You can substitute 1 1/2 cups of halved cherry tomatoes for the Roma tomatoes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1chicken breast | Calories: 729kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 55g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 31g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 282mg | Sodium: 824mg | Potassium: 1271mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 4466IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 224mg | Iron: 2mg

If you love Tuscan chicken, please make sure to come back and leave a comment and a 5 star rating. I’d love to hear how it turned out for you!

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    The flavors in this are delicious! I have tons of tomatoes in my garden right now and this recipe is a perfect use.

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