Description
Tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce with fresh spinach. This restaurant-quality Italian-American meal combines juicy chicken with a creamy, flavorful sauce perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or to impress guests.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 3 tbsp butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup chicken broth
Vegetables
- 3 cups fresh spinach
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning to infuse the meat with flavor before cooking.
- Heat the skillet: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil, allowing it to heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Cook the chicken: Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the hot skillet and cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust and are cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter and immediately add the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds, stirring frequently to prevent burning, until fragrant.
- Create the sauce base: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring gently and bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer to combine the flavors.
- Add Parmesan cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese slowly until fully melted and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Cook the spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook it in the sauce until it just wilts, which should take about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Finish the dish: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon the creamy sauce over the top, and allow everything to simmer together for 2 to 3 minutes so the flavors meld before serving warm.
Notes
- Serve this dish over pasta, rice, or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Using freshly grated Parmesan cheese will provide a smoother and richer sauce consistency compared to pre-grated varieties.
- For extra flavor and texture, consider adding sliced mushrooms when sautéing the garlic.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American