Description
This Creamy Chicken Breast in Spinach Parmesan Sauce is a delicious and easy-to-make Italian-American main course featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich, flavorful sauce made with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and fresh spinach. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal, this dish pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the luscious sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor before cooking.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 5 to 6 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned, which will infuse the sauce with a rich garlic flavor.
- Make Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Stir continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickens, creating a creamy base for the dish.
- Wilt Spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the sauce and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the spinach is wilted and incorporated into the sauce.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Let everything simmer together for 2 more minutes to meld the flavors beautifully.
- Finish and Serve: Sprinkle the dish with crushed red pepper flakes if desired for a little heat, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Serve with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
