Creamy Chicken with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Spinach

Name: Creamy Chicken with Sun-dried Tomato and Spinach
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds chicken breast (4 cutlets); 1 Tablespoon olive oil; 4 Tablespoons butter (divided); 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon pepper; 2 Tablespoons Italian seasoning (divided); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (in oil, drained, chopped); 2 Tablespoons flour; 2 cups whole milk; 4 cups fresh spinach; 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated or shredded); juice of 1/2 lemon; 16 ounces linguine pasta (optional)

ByKatie July 1, 2023June 30, 2023

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Creamy chicken with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach is an easy one-skillet dinner the whole family can enjoy! Juicy Italian herb chicken nestled in a skillet of cheesy, creamy white sauce can be served over pasta, potatoes, polenta, or with a side of bread. Ready in just 30 minutes.

Why you’ll love this recipe

If you like Alfredo sauce, you’ll enjoy this one skillet chicken dish. The sauce is creamy and loaded with parmesan cheese. It is made lighter thanks to the acidic, sun-dried tomatoes. Kids will love this dish too and not think twice about the hidden vegetable – spinach!

Looking for more one-skillet chicken recipes? Head over to the shop and pre-order the One Skillet cookbook! For more Italian inspired chicken dishes check out Easy Chicken Parmesan and serve along side Herb Focaccia Bread.

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Ingredients & Variations

Chicken Breasts: If your package has the 1-pound chicken breasts, fillet them and pound them to about 1/2 inch in thickness for even cooking.
Oil & Butter: For browning the chicken and adding flavor.
Spices: salt, pepper, Italian herb blend, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic for seasoning the dish.
Milk: Whole milk for the base of the cream sauce.
Flour: To act as a thickener for the sauce.
Vegetables: Lemon juice, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach add a fresh and tangy bite.
Parmesan Cheese: To make the sauce cheesy of course!

To make this gluten-free, use cornstarch or gluten-free flour. To make it dairy-free, use vegan butter, vegan cheese, and oat milk.

ingredients for how to make creamy chicken sun-dried tomato and spinach pasta skillet

How to make creamy chicken with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach skillet

Season the chicken liberally with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Any extra seasoning gets added to the skillet later.
Sear the chicken on both sides for about 5 minutes each, in a mixture of oil and butter. A golden brown crust should appear without burning the seasonings. Then remove the chicken to a large plate.
Add the remaining butter, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and seasoning to the skillet. Saute for 1 minute.
Add the flour to the skillet. Mix and cook for another minute until all oil has been absorbed. Add the milk slowly while stirring to thicken the sauce.
Add the spinach and toss to coat. Allow to wilt slightly.
Add the chicken and juices back to the skillet. Top with extra Parmesan cheese or sun-dried tomatoes if desired.
Optional: Stir in cooked pasta if desired.

How to make creamy chicken with sun-dried tomato and spinach collage

Equipment

12-inch Skillet
Tongs
Meat Tenderizer (optional)
Plastic Wrap (optional)
Cutting Board or Platter
Measuring cups & utensils

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Watch how to make it

FAQs

What can be used instead of spinach?

Other greens such as kale or collards can be used in place of spinach.

What if I don’t have sun-dried tomatoes?

You can use 1 Tablespoon of tomato paste in a pinch.

Is this Marry Me chicken?

Almost, but not quite. Marry Me Chicken has a few differences in the sauce and spices that make it unique.

creamy chicken with sun-dried tomato and spinach sauce in a cast iron skillet being picked up with tongs

Katie’s Tips

Ultra Flavor: substitute half white wine and half heavy cream for the whole milk. This will add a sweet, extra flavor and be a bit thicker in creaminess.
Swap the Oil: use oil from the sun-dried tomatoes instead of olive oil for even more flavor.

Storage

Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Note that because of the dairy, the sauce may look curdled when frozen. Reheating will fix that. When reheating the thawed or refrigerated dish, add 1/4 cup of chicken stock or milk to help loosen the sauce as it warms.

creamy chicken with sun-dried tomato and spinach sauce in a cast iron skillet

More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

REcipes

Jambalaya

Greek Chicken Skillet with Olives

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Smoked Chipotle Mango Tequila Rhubarb Chicken Thighs

Chipotle Lime Split Breasts

What to it serve with

Pasta is a delicious and easy choice. Served alone and with xantham gum instead of flour, this dish is keto-friendly. Mashed potatoes and polenta are equally easy and delicious options. This recipe can also be served as-is for a quick and easy one skillet weeknight meal.