Chicken Florentine is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender chicken breasts smothered in a rich, creamy spinach sauce. This elegant yet easy-to-make recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. With its delicious combination of flavors, Chicken Florentine is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Start by seasoning the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika on both sides.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan for extra flavor. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the heavy cream, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes, stirring well to combine. Simmer the sauce for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and continue stirring until the cheese melts into the sauce.
- Add the chopped spinach and cherry tomatoes, cooking for another 2 minutes until the spinach wilts and the tomatoes soften slightly.
- Squeeze in the lemon juice and stir to enhance the flavors.
- Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the creamy sauce over the top. Let everything cook together for 2 more minutes.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot with pasta, rice, or crusty bread for a complete meal.