Creamy Chicken Florentine with Spinach & Parmesan
Creamy Chicken Florentine with Spinach & Parmesan combines tender seared chicken breasts with vibrant spinach and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce. This dish offers a perfect balance of creamy richness, fresh flavors, and wholesome nutrition, making it ideal for quick weeknight dinners or elegant meals to impress guests.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 4 cups fresh spinach (about 4 handfuls)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Dairy & Fats
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Optional: fresh thyme or basil, finely chopped
Instructions
- Prepare and Sear the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken on both sides until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest.
- Sauté the Garlic and Spinach: In the same skillet, add a bit more oil or butter if needed. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant but not browned. Then add fresh spinach in handfuls, stirring constantly until wilted and bright green. This helps keep the spinach’s vibrant color and integrates fresh aromatics into the dish.
- Create the Creamy Parmesan Sauce: Pour the heavy cream or half-and-half into the skillet with the spinach and garlic and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and the sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste. The sauce should be smooth, rich, and perfect to coat the chicken.
- Combine and Finish Cooking: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy spinach sauce. Let them simmer gently for a few minutes to finish cooking through and allow the flavors to blend beautifully.
Notes
- Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness for uniform cooking and juiciness.
- Allow the chicken to rest after searing to retain moisture.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best melting and flavor.
- Wilt the spinach gently to preserve color and texture.
- Adjust the cream quantity to control sauce thickness according to preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: Creamy Chicken Florentine, Spinach, Parmesan, quick dinner, gluten-free chicken recipe, creamy sauce, easy chicken recipe