Low Carb Creamy Tuscan Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken breasts in a rich, creamy garlic sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. An elegant low-carb Italian-American dinner ready in 40 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

→ Sauce

07 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
08 - ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and chopped
09 - 1 cup heavy cream
10 - ½ cup low sodium chicken broth
11 - ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
13 - 2 cups fresh baby spinach

→ Garnish

14 - Fresh basil leaves, chopped
15 - Extra Parmesan cheese

# Steps:

01 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, ensuring even coverage.
02 - Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a plate and tent loosely with foil.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute to meld flavors.
04 - Pour in chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let simmer for 1 minute to reduce slightly.
05 - Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
06 - Add fresh spinach to the sauce, tossing gently to coat. Let cook for about 1 minute until just wilted but still vibrant green.
07 - Return chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning sauce generously over the top. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until chicken is heated through. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped fresh basil and additional Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The creamy sauce comes together in minutes yet tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • Everything cooks in one pan so cleanup is almost nonexistent
  • Each serving packs 42 grams of protein while staying under 8 grams of carbs
02 -
  • Crowding the pan will steam the chicken instead of searing it so work in batches if needed
  • The sauce continues thickening off the heat so remove it slightly earlier than you think
  • Sun-dried tomatoes vary in saltiness so taste before adding extra seasoning
03 -
  • Room temperature chicken sears more evenly than cold straight from the fridge
  • Pre-grated Parmesan often contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting

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