Chicken Florentine is a delicious, comforting dish that features tender, juicy chicken served in a creamy spinach sauce. This Italian-inspired meal is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion. It’s easy to make in just 30 minutes, with minimal ingredients like chicken, spinach, cream, and Parmesan. The creamy sauce and the perfectly seared chicken make this a flavorful and satisfying dish.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tbsp butter

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 cup chicken broth

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 6 cups fresh spinach (about 6 ounces)

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Prepare and Cook the Chicken:

   • Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.

   • Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

   • Sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should be 165°F). Remove from the skillet and set aside.

2. Make the Sauce:

   • In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.

   • Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.

   • Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.

3. Add Spinach and Combine:

   • Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and stir until it wilts and softens, about 2 minutes.

   • Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to meld the flavors.

4. Serve:

   • Once the chicken is cooked and the sauce is creamy, remove from heat and serve the chicken topped with the creamy spinach sauce.

Tips for the Best Chicken Florentine

• Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh spinach and Parmesan cheese enhance the flavor.

• Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Sear the chicken until golden to keep it juicy.

• Customize the Sauce: For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or milk for heavy cream. For a thicker sauce, add a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with water.

Nutrients

• Calories: ~475 kcal per serving

• Protein: 45g

• Fat: 30g

• Carbohydrates: 5g

• Fiber: 2g

• Sugar: 2g

The Essence of Chicken Florentine: A Perfectly Balanced Meal

At its core, Chicken Florentine is a well-balanced dish with protein, healthy fats, and leafy greens. The chicken provides lean protein, while the creamy sauce gives richness and flavor. Spinach, a key ingredient, is not only nutritious, providing vitamins and minerals, but also adds an earthy depth to the dish. The addition of Parmesan cheese contributes to the sauce’s creamy texture and a subtle tang that elevates the overall flavor profile.

What sets Chicken Florentine apart is its simplicity. Despite having only a handful of ingredients, it results in a rich and indulgent dish that is sure to satisfy. The creamy sauce, accented with garlic, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan, coats the chicken and creates a delicious marriage of flavors. The wilted spinach adds both texture and color, making the dish visually appealing as well as flavorful.

The Importance of Chicken: Juicy, Seared Perfection

The chicken breast is the star of this dish, and getting it just right is crucial. Seasoning it with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning enhances the natural flavor of the chicken, while searing it in olive oil and butter creates a beautifully golden, crispy crust. This process locks in the juices, keeping the chicken tender and moist.

It’s important to cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, ensuring that it’s fully cooked without being dry. The searing process is quick, taking only about 4-5 minutes on each side. After the chicken is cooked, it’s set aside while the sauce is prepared, allowing it to rest and retain its juices. This helps achieve the perfect balance of flavors when combined with the creamy spinach sauce.

The Creamy Sauce: Garlic, Spinach, and Parmesan Delight

The sauce in Chicken Florentine is where the magic happens. After the chicken is cooked, the same skillet is used to create the sauce, making it full of flavor and rich in taste. The first step is to sauté garlic in the leftover oil and butter from searing the chicken, infusing the sauce with that delicious garlic fragrance. The addition of chicken broth helps deglaze the pan, scraping up all the flavorful bits left from the chicken and creating a savory base.

Next, heavy cream is added, bringing richness to the sauce, and Parmesan cheese is stirred in, melting into the cream to create a smooth, velvety texture. The Parmesan not only adds creaminess but also enhances the sauce with a sharp, nutty flavor that perfectly balances the richness of the cream. The Italian seasoning gives the sauce an herby, aromatic base, making each bite a flavorful experience.

The spinach is then added to the sauce, wilting down into the creamy mixture. This brings a pop of green color to the dish and balances out the richness of the sauce with its mild bitterness. The combination of garlic, cream, Parmesan, and spinach creates a sauce that’s creamy, savory, and utterly delicious.

Combining the Chicken and Sauce: The Final Touch

After the sauce has thickened and the spinach has softened, the chicken is returned to the skillet. The chicken is spooned with the creamy spinach sauce, allowing it to soak in the flavors. This step ensures that the chicken is fully coated with the sauce and absorbs all the savory goodness. The dish is then simmered for a few extra minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

This final simmering step not only lets the chicken absorb the sauce but also ensures that the sauce has reached the perfect consistency—creamy and luxurious, without being too runny. The result is a beautifully cooked chicken breast sitting in a pool of rich, creamy spinach sauce, ready to be served.

Serving Suggestions: Perfect Pairings for Chicken Florentine

While Chicken Florentine is delicious on its own, there are a few simple sides that can elevate the meal even further. Serving it with a side of pasta, such as fettuccine or spaghetti, is a great option, as the creamy sauce coats the pasta beautifully, making every bite satisfying. Alternatively, roasted potatoes or a fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette would complement the richness of the dish and provide some contrast in texture.

For a low-carb option, serve Chicken Florentine with steamed or roasted vegetables like asparagus or zucchini. The lightness of the vegetables balances the creamy sauce and adds freshness to the meal.

Adjusting the Sauce for Lighter Options

If you’re looking for a lighter version of this dish, there are a few modifications you can make to the sauce. Instead of using heavy cream, you can substitute half-and-half or milk for a less rich option. Alternatively, cream cheese can be used to achieve a similar creamy texture without as much fat. If you’re looking for a thicker sauce, adding a small amount of cornstarch mixed with water can help thicken it up without compromising the flavor.

Conclusion: A Comforting and Flavorful Dish

Chicken Florentine is a simple yet sophisticated dish that delivers on both flavor and comfort. With its tender, seared chicken, creamy spinach sauce, and savory Parmesan cheese, it’s a perfect meal for any occasion. Whether you’re preparing it for a weeknight dinner or a special meal, Chicken Florentine is sure to impress with its rich flavors and satisfying textures. The combination of garlic, spinach, and cream creates a dish that’s both comforting and indulgent, while the fresh chicken adds the necessary protein to make it a complete meal. It’s a classic Italian-inspired dish that brings together the best of both simplicity and flavor.