If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and absolutely delicious dinner idea, this Baked Tuscan Chicken Breast recipe is about to become your new best friend.
With its creamy, flavorful sauce and tender chicken, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or even a cozy weekend meal. Plus, it pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or even a fresh salad. Let’s dive into how you can whip up this restaurant-worthy meal in just 30 minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is a keeper for so many reasons. First, it’s simple yet delivers bold flavors. The creamy sauce, infused with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese, is a true showstopper. Second, it’s versatile. You can serve the chicken as-is or use the sauce to elevate a side dish like pasta or mashed potatoes. Lastly, it’s quick—perfect for those nights when you want something homemade but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious Baked Tuscan Chicken Breast:
- Chicken: Four boneless, skinless chicken breasts. These are easy to cook and absorb the flavors of the sauce beautifully.
- Seasonings: A simple mix of salt, Italian seasoning, paprika, and black pepper gives the chicken a flavorful crust.
- Cream Sauce: The magic lies in the sauce! Heavy cream, garlic, corn starch for thickening, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and fresh spinach come together to create a rich and creamy base.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken:
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Start by flattening the thick side of the chicken breasts to ensure even cooking. Place the chicken on a cutting board, cover it with plastic wrap, and use a rolling pin or meat mallet to gently pound it.
2. Season the Chicken:
Arrange the chicken breasts in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Drizzle them with canola oil and rub in the seasoning mix made of salt, Italian seasoning, paprika, and black pepper. This step ensures that every bite is packed with flavor.
3. Make the Cream Sauce:
Whisk together heavy cream, minced garlic, corn starch, salt, and pepper until smooth. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and shredded Parmesan cheese. Pour this heavenly mixture around the chicken in the baking dish. Don’t worry if the sauce slightly covers the chicken; it only adds more flavor!
4. Bake the Chicken:
Place the dish in the oven and bake for 16-20 minutes, or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Cooking times may vary depending on the size of your chicken breasts.
5. Add Fresh Spinach:
Once the chicken is cooked through, remove the pan from the oven and stir fresh spinach into the sauce. The heat from the dish will wilt the spinach perfectly. If you notice that the sauce has separated during cooking, don’t panic! A quick stir will bring it back together.
6. Let It Rest:
Cover the pan and let the chicken rest for about 10 minutes. This allows all the flavors to meld together and ensures that your chicken stays juicy.
7. Serve and Enjoy:
Uncover the dish and serve your baked Tuscan chicken with its creamy sauce spooned over top. Pair it with pasta, rice, or even roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Skip Flattening the Chicken: This step ensures even cooking and prevents some parts from drying out while others remain undercooked.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh spinach and good-quality Parmesan cheese make all the difference in this dish.
- Adjust Seasoning to Taste: Feel free to tweak the seasoning based on your preferences. A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a nice kick if you like a bit of heat.
Nutrition Information
Each serving of this Baked Tuscan Chicken Breast (one chicken breast with about ½ cup of sauce) provides approximately:
- Calories: 423
- Protein: 29g
- Fat: 31g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
It’s a hearty meal that’s satisfying without being overly indulgent.
Final Thoughts
This Baked Tuscan Chicken Breast recipe is proof that you don’t need complicated techniques or hours in the kitchen to create something truly special. The creamy sauce, tender chicken, and vibrant flavors make it a standout dish that’s sure to impress family and friends alike. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or hosting guests, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit. So grab your apron and get ready to enjoy a meal that’s as comforting as it is delicious!
PrintBaked Tuscan Chicken Breast
This Baked Tuscan Chicken Breast is an easy, flavorful dish with a creamy sauce packed with sundried tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and Parmesan. Perfect served over pasta or with crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American, Italian
- Diet: Low-Carb
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (breast halves)
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Cream Sauce:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon corn starch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅓ cup sundried tomatoes (chopped)
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup chopped fresh spinach
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Pound chicken to even thickness and place in a 9×13” baking dish.
3. Combine salt, Italian seasoning, paprika, and pepper. Drizzle chicken with oil and rub seasoning on top.
4. In a bowl, whisk together cream, garlic, corn starch, salt, and pepper. Stir in sundried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese. Pour around chicken in the dish.
5. Bake for 16-20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
6. Remove pan from oven and stir spinach into sauce. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes to wilt spinach and let flavors meld.
7. Uncover and serve.
Notes
1 serving = 1 chicken breast + 1/2 cup sauce.
If sauce separates while baking, just stir to re-emulsify.
Pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast + 1/2 cup sauce
- Calories: 423
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 712mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 159mg
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