Description
Creamy Chicken Florentine is a rich and flavorful Italian-American dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a luscious creamy Parmesan sauce with garlic, onions, and fresh spinach. Perfectly seasoned and simmered on the stovetop, this comforting main course is quick to prepare and ideal for serving over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Vegetables
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped onion, sautéing for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the chicken broth and stir to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet, adding depth to the sauce.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Add heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well and let the sauce simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Add Spinach: Stir in the fresh baby spinach and cook just until wilted, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the creamy sauce over them. Let everything simmer together for another 2 to 3 minutes to meld the flavors and warm the chicken thoroughly.
- Serve: Plate the chicken breasts topped with the creamy spinach sauce. Serve hot over your choice of pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Boneless chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for a richer flavor and juicier texture.
- Serve over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
