Description
This Baked Tuscan Chicken Breast recipe features tender chicken breasts baked in a creamy sauce infused with garlic, sundried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and fresh spinach, resulting in a flavorful, comforting dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
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
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
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit to get it ready for baking the chicken.
- Flatten Chicken: Place chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover with plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin, meat mallet, or small frying pan to flatten the thick side so the chicken is of even thickness, ensuring uniform cooking.
- Arrange Chicken: Place the flattened chicken breasts in a 9×13-inch baking dish, making sure they are not crowded to allow proper cooking.
- Season Chicken: Combine ½ teaspoon salt, Italian seasoning, paprika, and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper. Drizzle the chicken with canola oil and rub the seasoning mixture on the top side of the chicken breasts.
- Prepare Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, minced garlic, corn starch, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper until smooth. Stir in chopped sundried tomatoes and shredded Parmesan cheese.
- Add Sauce and Bake: Pour the cream sauce around the chicken breasts in the baking dish, not necessarily covering the chicken completely. Bake in the preheated oven for 16-20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F at the thickest part.
- Finish Sauce with Spinach: Remove the baking dish from the oven, stir chopped fresh spinach into the sauce to wilt. The sauce may separate slightly during baking; stirring will help it come back together.
- Rest Chicken: Cover the pan and let the chicken rest for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and spinach to fully wilt.
- Serve: Uncover and serve the baked Tuscan chicken breasts with the creamy sauce.
Notes
- Flattening chicken breasts ensures they cook evenly and remain juicy.
- The sauce may look separated after baking but stirring helps recombine it.
- You can use canned sundried tomatoes packed in oil for extra richness.
- Check the chicken with a meat thermometer for safe cooking.
- Serve this dish with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
