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To make creamy spinach sun-dried tomato chicken, gather these ingredients: - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts - 2 tablespoons olive oil - Salt and pepper, to taste - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced - 1 cup heavy cream - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (for garnish) If you need to change some ingredients, here are some great options: - Chicken breasts can be swapped with thighs for extra flavor. - Use coconut milk instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce. - Fresh spinach can be replaced with frozen spinach; just thaw and drain it first. - Instead of sun-dried tomatoes, try roasted red peppers for a different taste. - Nutritional yeast can replace Parmesan cheese for a vegan option. This dish serves four and offers a balance of protein and fat. Each serving has approximately: - Calories: 480 - Protein: 38g - Carbohydrates: 7g - Fat: 35g - Fiber: 1g This meal is rich in calcium from the cheese and vitamins from the spinach. Enjoy this hearty dish while knowing it fuels your body well! {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by seasoning both sides of the chicken breasts. Use salt and pepper to taste. This simple step adds flavor to the chicken. Make sure you cover all areas of the chicken. This will help every bite taste great. Next, heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet. Use medium-high heat for this step. Once the oil is hot, add the seasoned chicken breasts. Cook them for about 5-6 minutes on each side. Look for a nice golden brown color. This means they are cooking well. After cooking, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside. In the same skillet, add three cloves of minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds. You want it to be fragrant but not burnt. Then, stir in one cup of chopped fresh spinach and half a cup of sliced sun-dried tomatoes. Cook this for 2-3 minutes. You will know it's ready when the spinach wilts. Lower the heat to medium next. Pour in one cup of heavy cream and stir to mix it well. Let the cream warm up a bit. Then, mix in half a cup of grated Parmesan cheese and one teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly, which should take about 3-4 minutes. Finally, return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Spoon some of the creamy sauce on top of the chicken. Let it simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat through. Your dish is now ready to serve! To get the best flavor, start with fresh chicken breasts. Season them well with salt and pepper. Use medium-high heat to cook the chicken. This gives it a nice golden crust. After cooking, let the chicken rest for a few minutes. This helps keep it juicy. When you sauté garlic, do it quickly. Garlic burns fast, so watch it closely. For the sauce, add cream slowly. Stir well to mix everything together. Don’t skip the resting time for the chicken. If you cut it right away, juices will run out. Be careful not to overcook the garlic. It should smell good, not burnt. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of water or broth. Taste the sauce before serving. You might need more salt or seasoning. Lastly, don’t forget to garnish with fresh basil. It adds color and flavor. This dish pairs well with rice or pasta. You can also serve it with crusty bread. For a fresh touch, add a side salad. A simple green salad works great. If you want more color, try roasted vegetables. They add a nice crunch and taste. Enjoy your meal hot for the best flavor. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh spinach and quality sun-dried tomatoes will enhance the flavor of the dish significantly. Don’t Overcook the Chicken: To keep the chicken moist and tender, ensure you cook it just until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Adjust Creaminess: You can substitute half-and-half for a lighter version of the sauce without losing too much creaminess. Serve with a Side: Pair this dish with a side of pasta or a fresh salad to balance the richness of the cream sauce. {{image_2}} You can make a tasty twist by adding pasta. Cook your favorite pasta. I like penne or fettuccine. After making the creamy sauce, toss in the cooked pasta. Mix well, so the pasta absorbs all the flavors. This makes a filling meal. Top with extra Parmesan for a nice finish. To make this dish dairy-free, swap the heavy cream. Use coconut cream or cashew cream instead. These options keep the sauce rich. Replace Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast. This adds a cheesy flavor without dairy. You will still enjoy a creamy and tasty dish. If you want a low-carb meal, skip the pasta. Instead, serve the chicken over steamed veggies. Zucchini noodles work great too. They soak up the sauce well. You can also add cauliflower rice for texture. This keeps the meal light and healthy while still being delicious. To keep your creamy spinach sun-dried tomato chicken fresh, place it in an airtight container. Make sure to let it cool before sealing it. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. This way, you can enjoy the rich flavors later. When you are ready to eat your leftovers, use a skillet or microwave. For the skillet, heat on low. Add a splash of cream or water to keep the sauce moist. Stir until heated through. If using a microwave, cover the bowl with a lid. Heat for 1-2 minutes, stopping to stir halfway. If you want to save this dish for later, freezing is a great option. Allow the chicken to cool completely. Then, place it in a freezer-safe container. It can last up to three months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight, then reheat as mentioned above. Yes, you can use frozen spinach. Just thaw and drain it well. Frozen spinach is less watery than fresh. This makes it easier to mix into your dish. Cook it for a minute or two until heated. You can replace heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk. Both options give creaminess. They also cut down on calories. For a lighter option, use Greek yogurt mixed with milk. It adds a nice tangy flavor, too. This dish lasts about three to four days in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container. Reheat gently to keep the chicken moist. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it. Just remember to thaw it before reheating. This blog post covered key points to make a tasty chicken dish. We listed ingredients and looked at swaps if you need them. You learned how to prepare and cook the chicken, plus make a rich cream sauce. Tips on cooking best practices and common mistakes help you succeed. Variations let you explore different flavors or diets. Finally, we discussed how to store leftovers for later. Follow these steps and tips, and you’ll enjoy a delicious meal every time!

Creamy Spinach Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken

A delicious and creamy chicken dish with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
  • 0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
  • Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  • Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Add Spinach and Tomatoes: Stir in the chopped spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, cooking until the spinach wilts, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Create the Sauce: Lower the heat to medium, then pour in the heavy cream. Stir to combine, allowing the cream to warm up.
  • Add Cheese and Seasoning: Mix in the Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning, stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Return the Chicken: Place the cooked chicken back into the skillet, spoon some sauce on top, and let it simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat through.
  • Serve Hot: Remove from heat, garnish with fresh basil, and serve.

Notes

Serve with pasta or rice for a complete meal.
Keyword chicken, creamy, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes