This cozy skillet brings restaurant comfort home with tender chicken and a rich, garlicky cream sauce. Sun-dried tomatoes add a sweet-tangy punch, while spinach and Parmesan make the sauce silky and savory. It’s simple enough for a weeknight but special enough for guests.

Serve it over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes, and you’ve got a crowd pleaser. If you love creamy skillet dinners, you might also enjoy our similar pasta spin here: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Fettuccine A Cozy Weeknight Friendly Pasta or this cozy one-pan take: Tuscan Chicken Gnocchi Skillet Creamy Comforting One Pan Dinner.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken With Sun-Dried Tomatoes – A Cozy, Flavor-Packed Skillet Dinner

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 2 large chicken breasts, halved horizontally (or 4 thin cutlets)
• Salt and black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus oil from the tomato jar if desired)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, thinly sliced
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)

Method

 

1. Season the chicken: Pat dry. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high.Sear chicken 3–4 minutes per side until golden and just cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
3. Sauté aromatics: Lower heat to medium. Add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes.Cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Don’t brown the garlic.
4. Deglaze: Pour in chicken broth. Scrape up the browned bits for flavor.Simmer 2 minutes.
5. Make it creamy: Stir in cream, Dijon, and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer gently 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Add greens and cheese: Stir in spinach to wilt. Add Parmesan and stir until melted and the sauce turns glossy.
7. Finish the sauce: Squeeze in lemon juice.Taste and adjust salt and pepper. The sauce should be rich, slightly tangy, and well-seasoned.
8. Return the chicken: Nestle chicken back into the skillet with any juices. Spoon sauce over the top and warm 1–2 minutes.
9. Serve: Garnish with fresh basil.Serve over pasta, rice, or potatoes with extra sauce.

What Makes This Recipe So Good

– Big flavor, minimal effort: Pan-seared chicken + garlicky cream sauce = instant comfort. – Balanced and bright: Sun-dried tomatoes and a splash of lemon cut through the richness. – Flexible serving options: Pair with pasta, rice, gnocchi, or crusty bread. – Weeknight-friendly: Ready in about 30 minutes with simple, familiar ingredients.

Shopping List

• 2 large chicken breasts, halved horizontally (or 4 thin cutlets)
• Salt and black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus oil from the tomato jar if desired)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, thinly sliced
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Season the chicken: Pat dry. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high.

   Sear chicken 3–4 minutes per side until golden and just cooked through. Transfer to a plate.

3. Sauté aromatics: Lower heat to medium. Add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes.

   Cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Don’t brown the garlic.

4. Deglaze: Pour in chicken broth. Scrape up the browned bits for flavor.

   Simmer 2 minutes.

5. Make it creamy: Stir in cream, Dijon, and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer gently 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Add greens and cheese: Stir in spinach to wilt. Add Parmesan and stir until melted and the sauce turns glossy.
7. Finish the sauce: Squeeze in lemon juice.

   Taste and adjust salt and pepper. The sauce should be rich, slightly tangy, and well-seasoned.

8. Return the chicken: Nestle chicken back into the skillet with any juices. Spoon sauce over the top and warm 1–2 minutes.
9. Serve: Garnish with fresh basil.

   Serve over pasta, rice, or potatoes with extra sauce.

Storage Instructions

– Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. – Freezer: Cream sauces can separate when frozen. If freezing, skip the cheese and cream, freeze the chicken and base, then add cream and Parmesan when reheating. – Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of broth or cream until smooth and hot.

Benefits of This Recipe

– High protein: Satisfying and filling, great for weeknights. – Family-friendly: Creamy sauce with mild flavors kids usually enjoy. – Adaptable: Works with different cuts of chicken or add-ins like mushrooms or artichokes. – Meal-prep friendly: Reheats well for next-day lunches.

Pitfalls to Watch Out For

– Overcooking chicken: Thin cutlets cook fast. Pull them as soon as they hit 165°F. – Boiling the cream: Keep it to a gentle simmer to prevent splitting. – Too salty: Sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan add salt.

Start light on salt and adjust at the end. – Watery sauce: Simmer a bit longer or add a touch more Parmesan to tighten it up.

Alternatives

– Lighter version: Use half-and-half and reduce Parmesan slightly. For a lighter creamy pasta idea, try Creamy Greek Yogurt Alfredo Chicken Pasta A Lighter Cozy Weeknight Favorite. – Different protein: Swap chicken for shrimp or turkey cutlets and reduce cook time. – Add carbs right in: Stir in cooked gnocchi or pasta to make it a one-pan meal. See this twist: One Pot Parmesan Chicken Orzo Creamy Cozy And Weeknight Friendly. – More veggies: Add sautéed mushrooms or artichoke hearts.

If you love tomato-basil combos, this pasta is another great fit: Tomato Basil Cream Rigatoni A Cozy Weeknight Friendly Pasta.

FAQ

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes. Boneless, skinless thighs stay juicy and are very forgiving. Sear 5–6 minutes per side until cooked through, then proceed with the sauce.

What’s the best pasta shape to serve with this?

Short shapes like penne or rigatoni hold the sauce well.

Fettuccine or linguine also work if you prefer long strands.

Do I need to use the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar?

You don’t have to, but using a spoonful adds savory, tomato-garlic depth. Reduce the added olive oil slightly if you include it.

How can I make the sauce thicker?

Simmer a bit longer to reduce, or add another small handful of Parmesan. Avoid cornstarch unless you’re using a milk-based lighter sauce.

Can I make it dairy-free?

Use a dairy-free cream alternative and a vegan Parmesan-style cheese.

Taste and adjust seasoning, since dairy-free swaps can be milder.

In Conclusion

Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes delivers rich, bright flavor in under an hour, with pantry-friendly ingredients and simple steps. It’s perfect with pasta, or keep it light with a salad or veggie side. For another creamy chicken pasta you can keep on repeat, check out Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta Cozy Comforting And Weeknight Friendly.

And if you want a Mediterranean-leaning pasta night to pair with this, try Mediterranean Cream Cheese Pasta A Bright Creamy Weeknight Favorite. Enjoy every saucy, savory bite.