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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Create a flavor-packed seasoning blend for the chicken using salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, ensuring even coverage.
- Preheat a large skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat, preparing for a golden sear.
- 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.
- Remove perfectly cooked chicken and set aside, keeping it warm.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium and introduce butter, allowing it to melt smoothly.
- Quickly sauté minced garlic for a brief moment, releasing its aromatic essence without burning.
- Deglaze the pan by pouring in chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up flavorful browned bits from the bottom.
- Whisk in heavy cream, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes, creating a luxurious sauce base.
- Allow the sauce to simmer gently, thickening and melding the flavors together.
- Fold fresh spinach into the creamy mixture, letting it wilt and integrate seamlessly.
- Brighten the sauce with a splash of lemon juice and fine-tune seasoning to taste.
- Nestle the cooked chicken back into the skillet, coating it with the velvety sauce.
- Warm the chicken through for a final minute, ensuring everything is heated evenly.
- 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