Description
This Creamy Chicken Florentine is a quick and delicious dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts smothered in a rich, velvety sauce made with fresh spinach, garlic, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Perfectly balanced with savory and creamy flavors, it’s an elegant yet easy dinner ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to even thickness)
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 5 cups fresh spinach
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prep: Mince the garlic cloves finely and wash the fresh spinach thoroughly. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then season both sides generously with salt and pepper for flavor. This step should take about 5 minutes.
- Sear: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook them for 12 to 14 minutes total, turning occasionally until each side is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. Proper searing locks in moisture and creates a flavorful crust.
- Build Sauce: Reduce heat to low. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant. Add the fresh spinach and cook until wilted. Then pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the mixture. Stir continuously for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
- Finish: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet. Spoon the creamy spinach and garlic sauce over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated. Let it warm together for an additional 3 minutes on low heat before serving hot.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg to the sauce when adding cream and cheese.
- You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to reduce calories, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Serve with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Make sure the chicken is pounded to even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and smooth melting.
