Creamy Chicken Florentine Recipe for Cozy Nights

Weeknight dinners just got more delightful with this creamy chicken Florentine that promises pure comfort.

Hearty spinach and tender chicken create a luxurious pasta experience.

Parmesan cheese melts into a velvety sauce that hugs every inch of noodles.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this elegant dish comes together with minimal effort.

Simple ingredients blend into something spectacular that feels like a restaurant-quality meal.

Fresh herbs add a bright note to the rich, silky base.

You’ll want to savor each forkful of this irresistible Italian-inspired classic.

Reasons People Keep Coming Back to Chicken Florentine Recipe

• Minimal cooking steps make this dish incredibly beginner-friendly for home cooks.
• Prepare the entire meal in a single pan, reducing cleanup time and kitchen mess dramatically.
• Creates a gourmet-tasting dish with simple ingredients that feels luxurious yet easy to execute.
• Adapts seamlessly to multiple base dishes like pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes, ensuring flexibility for different meal preferences.

Ingredient List for Chicken Florentine Recipe

• Chicken Breast: A tender, lean protein that absorbs flavors beautifully and creates the main structure of the dish. Choose boneless, skinless cuts for easy preparation.
• Chicken Broth: Provides rich, savory depth and helps deglaze the pan. Low-sodium versions allow better control of salt levels.

• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious, silky sauce with incredible richness. Full-fat version ensures the best texture and flavor.
• Butter: Adds depth and helps build the sauce's foundation. Unsalted butter recommended for precise seasoning.
• Parmesan Cheese: Brings sharp, salty notes and helps thicken the sauce. Freshly grated provides superior flavor.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing overall dish flavor. Kosher or sea salt works best.
• Garlic Powder: Provides consistent garlic flavor throughout the dish. Fresh garlic also works wonderfully.
• Paprika: Adds gentle warmth and subtle color. Sweet or smoked varieties can be used.
• Italian Seasoning: Delivers complex herb profile with minimal effort. A blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient for adding mild heat. Adjust quantity based on spice preference.

• Olive Oil: Used for cooking chicken and preventing sticking. Extra virgin offers best flavor.
• Fresh Spinach: Adds nutrition and color to the sauce. Baby spinach wilts quickly and smoothly.
• Lemon Juice: Optional ingredient that brightens the sauce with fresh, tangy notes.

Cooking Method for Chicken Florentine Recipe

Step 1: Preparing the Chicken

• Sprinkle chicken with salt
• Dust with pepper
• Add garlic powder
• Shake on paprika

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil. Sear chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, about 4-5 minutes per side. Verify doneness with internal temperature reaching 165°F. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.

Step 2: Creating Magical Sauce Base

Reduce skillet heat to medium. Melt butter and add minced garlic, stirring until aromatic. Pour chicken broth into the pan, scraping up delicious browned bits from the bottom.

Step 3: Transforming Sauce to Creamy Goodness

• Heavy cream
• Parmesan cheese
• Italian seasoning
• Red pepper flakes

Simmer sauce for 2-3 minutes until it thickens beautifully.

Step 4: Incorporating Fresh Greens

Toss fresh spinach into the sauce, cooking until leaves wilt completely. Splash with lemon juice and adjust seasonings as desired.

Step 5: Reuniting Chicken with Sauce

Return chicken to the skillet, generously coating with creamy sauce. Warm for an additional 1-2 minutes.

Step 6: Serving Your Culinary Masterpiece

Plate over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or alongside crusty bread. Enjoy immediately while sauce is warm and inviting.

Tricks for Rich Sauce in Chicken Florentine Recipe

• Customize Seasoning: Experiment with different herbs and spices like thyme, rosemary, or smoked paprika to personalize the chicken's flavor profile.
• Prevent Dryness: Ensure chicken reaches exactly 165F to maintain juiciness, using a meat thermometer for precise cooking.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a lactose-free version that retains creamy texture.
• Master Sauce Consistency: Simmer sauce slowly and stir continuously to achieve the perfect thickness without burning or separating.
• Vegetable Flexibility: Replace spinach with kale, Swiss chard, or arugula for varied nutritional benefits and unique taste experiences.

Instructions for Storing and Reheating Chicken Florentine Recipe

• Store leftover Chicken Florentine in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the dish stays fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Carefully transfer to freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Frozen chicken will maintain quality for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing spinach-based sauces for best texture.
• Preheat to 350°F. Place chicken in a baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F, adding a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture.
• Place portion on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Stop when chicken is steaming hot throughout.

Meals and Sips That Pair Well with Chicken Florentine

• Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly balance the creamy sauce's richness, cutting through the heaviness with bright, zesty notes.
• Roasted garlic asparagus or lemon-herb roasted vegetables add freshness and balance the dish's creamy texture, creating a harmonious plate.
• Toasted artisan bread provides a delightful crunch and helps soak up the luxurious Parmesan cream sauce, enhancing every bite's flavor profile.
• A simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette offers a peppery, tangy contrast that brightens the meal and cleanses the palate between creamy bites.

Custom Flavor Options for Chicken Florentine Recipe

• Keto-Friendly Version: Replace pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. Use full-fat cream and omit flour-based thickeners. Select low-carb vegetables like spinach to maintain nutritional balance.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or almond milk cream. Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese. Select olive oil-based butter replacement for sautéing.
• Vegetarian Swap: Replace chicken with firm tofu or white beans. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Add extra mushrooms for protein and umami flavor. Select plant-based Parmesan for similar cheesy notes.
• Low-Sodium Option: Remove added salt and use sodium-free chicken broth. Select fresh herbs for flavor enhancement. Choose low-sodium Parmesan cheese. Use fresh garlic and spices to build complexity without extra sodium.

Answers to FAQs About Chicken Florentine

• What are the key spices used to season the chicken?

Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika are the primary spices used to season the chicken, creating a flavorful base for the dish.

• Why is it important to reach 165F / 75C internal temperature for chicken?

This temperature ensures the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat, killing harmful bacteria and preventing foodborne illnesses.

• Can I make this recipe without heavy cream?

While heavy cream provides richness, you can substitute with half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce will be less thick and creamy.

• How do I prevent the spinach from becoming soggy?

Add spinach at the end and cook just until wilted (1-2 minutes), which maintains its bright color and prevents it from becoming mushy or overcooked.

Creamy Chicken Florentine Recipe

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4.5 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Succulent chicken dances with spinach in this irresistible Chicken Florentine, blending rich Italian flavors into a comforting meal. Parmesan and cream elevate each bite, promising a delightful culinary journey you’ll savor until the last forkful.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Liquid and Dairy Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
• ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for brightness)

Vegetable:

• 3 cups (90 grams) fresh spinach

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Instructions

1. Create a flavor-packed seasoning blend for the chicken using salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, ensuring even coverage.
2. Preheat a large skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat, preparing for a golden sear.
3. Carefully place seasoned chicken into the hot skillet, cooking each side until a rich golden-brown color develops and the internal temperature reaches 165F / 75C.
4. Remove perfectly cooked chicken and set aside, keeping it warm.
5. Reduce skillet heat to medium and introduce butter, allowing it to melt smoothly.
6. Quickly sauté minced garlic for a brief moment, releasing its aromatic essence without burning.
7. Deglaze the pan by pouring in chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up flavorful browned bits from the bottom.
8. Whisk in heavy cream, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes, creating a luxurious sauce base.
9. Allow the sauce to simmer gently, thickening and melding the flavors together.
10. Fold fresh spinach into the creamy mixture, letting it wilt and integrate seamlessly.
11. Brighten the sauce with a splash of lemon juice and fine-tune seasoning to taste.
12. Nestle the cooked chicken back into the skillet, coating it with the velvety sauce.
13. Warm the chicken through for a final minute, ensuring everything is heated evenly.
14. Present the dish over your preferred accompaniment like pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or alongside crusty bread.

Notes

• Enhance flavor by marinating chicken in herbs and garlic for 30 minutes before cooking to infuse deeper taste profiles.
• Opt for high-quality Parmesan cheese and freshly grated options for more robust, authentic Italian flavor complexity.
• Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for lighter, lower-calorie alternative without compromising creamy texture.
• Ensure chicken reaches precise internal temperature by using meat thermometer to guarantee safe, juicy, perfectly cooked protein.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 640
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 1030 mg
• Fat: 47 g
• Saturated Fat: 21 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 50 g
• Cholesterol: 170 mg