Easy, Soul-Warming Creamy Chicken Florentine Recipe

Comfort meets elegance in this delectable chicken florentine recipe that promises to delight your taste buds.

Tender chicken breasts swim in a luxurious, velvety sauce that brings restaurant-quality flavors right to your kitchen.

Spinach adds a vibrant green touch, creating a dish that’s both nutritious and indulgent.

Each forkful combines creamy textures with rich, savory notes that dance across your palate.

The combination of parmesan, garlic, and herbs elevates this classic Italian-inspired meal from ordinary to extraordinary.

Perfectly balanced and surprisingly simple to prepare, this recipe transforms weeknight dinners into a gourmet experience.

Gather your ingredients and get ready to impress everyone at the table.

Storing and Reheating Chicken Florentine Dinners

• Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover the chicken completely with the sauce to prevent drying out.
• Transfer cooled chicken and sauce to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label with date to track freshness.
• Place chicken and sauce in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warmed.
• Warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream to prevent sauce from separating. Stir gently and heat until temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring even warming.

Sides That Go Well With Chicken Florentine

• Enhance Chicken Florentine with Perfect Pairings
• Crisp White Wine Complement: Select a crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to match the creamy sauce's richness. These wines cut through the heaviness while highlighting the dish's delicate garlic and herb flavors.
• Roasted Vegetable Side Kick: Prepare roasted asparagus or zucchini with olive oil and sea salt. The caramelized edges and light seasoning will beautifully balance the creamy chicken's texture and provide a fresh vegetable component.
• Garlic Herb Risotto Partner: Craft a simple garlic and herb risotto as a complementary starch. The creamy rice will absorb the Florentine sauce's flavors while adding another layer of luxurious texture to the meal.
• Bright Citrus Salad Accent: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette and shaved parmesan. The bright, tangy dressing will cut through the richness and provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy chicken dish.

Recipe Variations to Keep It Fresh

• Low-Carb Cauliflower Version: Replace flour with almond flour for dredging chicken, swap out traditional pasta for cauliflower rice or steamed cauliflower florets to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining similar flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, substitute butter with olive oil or dairy-free margarine, select nutritional yeast instead of parmesan cheese for similar umami flavor and creamy texture.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Utilize cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend for dredging chicken, ensure all broth and seasonings are certified gluten-free, maintain the rich flavor by keeping core ingredients unchanged.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace chicken with firm tofu or seitan, press and marinate protein beforehand, coat with same seasoning blend, and follow original cooking method for a plant-based version of the classic dish.

FAQs

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work great! They’re typically more flavorful and stay juicier. Just adjust cooking time since thighs might take slightly longer to cook through.

• Is it okay to skip the wine?

Absolutely! Replace wine with additional chicken broth or white grape juice for similar depth of flavor. The key is maintaining that liquid’s acidic and flavor-enhancing qualities.

• How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer – chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part; the meat should be white with no pink areas.

• Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Yes! Simply substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend when dredging the chicken. Everything else in the recipe remains the same.

Why Chicken Florentine Is Always a Classic

• Slice chicken breasts in half for faster, even cooking, and use simple seasoning techniques that make the dish approachable for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Sear chicken in a skillet to create a golden exterior, then use the same pan to build a rich, creamy sauce that captures every delicious browned bit for maximum taste.
• Transform basic ingredients into an elegant meal with minimal steps, combining wine, cream, and spinach to create a luxurious sauce that feels sophisticated yet incredibly satisfying.
• Minimize cleanup by using a single skillet for the entire cooking process, making this recipe perfect for weeknight dinners or when you want delicious food without extensive kitchen work.

What’s in This Creamy Chicken Florentine Dish

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that forms the heart of this delicious dish.
• Spinach: Fresh green vegetable that adds nutrition and classic Florentine flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a rich and luxurious sauce base.

• Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the chicken's natural flavor.
• Italian Seasoning: Herb blend that adds depth and complexity to the sauce.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Provide rich flavor and help with cooking and browning.
• White Wine, Chicken Broth: Create a flavorful liquid base for deglazing and sauce development.
• Flour: Helps create a light coating on the chicken for golden browning.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty finish to the dish.

How to Prepare Chicken Florentine Like a Pro

Step 1: Transform Chicken Pieces

Slice chicken breasts horizontally to create four thinner pieces.

• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Lightly dust seasoned chicken with flour for a gorgeous golden crust.

Step 2: Golden Searing

Warm a skillet with olive oil and butter over medium-high heat.

Cook chicken until beautiful golden brown, approximately 4-5 minutes per side.

Chicken doesn’t need complete cooking now.

Transfer to a separate plate.

Step 3: Aromatic Garlic Foundation

Utilize the same skillet without cleaning.

Add remaining butter and minced garlic.

Quickly sauté for 30 seconds, releasing incredible fragrance without burning.

Step 4: Create Flavor Liquid

Pour white wine and chicken broth into skillet.

Scrape pan’s bottom to release delicious browned bits.

Incorporate Italian seasoning.

Simmer mixture 3-5 minutes until slightly reduced.

Step 5: Develop Luxurious Cream Sauce

Lower heat.

Gently stir heavy cream into skillet.

Allow gentle bubbling for two minutes.

Add fresh spinach, stirring until completely wilted.

Step 6: Final Chicken Integration

Return chicken pieces into sauce.

Spoon sauce generously over chicken.

Cook additional 4-5 minutes until chicken reaches perfect doneness and sauce thickens.

Generously sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese before serving.

Tips for Creamy Sauce and Tender Chicken

• Cut chicken breasts lengthwise to create thinner pieces, ensuring faster and more even cooking with a perfect golden exterior.
• Sauté minced garlic quickly, watching carefully to avoid burning, which can make the sauce bitter and ruin the delicate flavor profile.
• Keep those brown bits in the pan when making the sauce – they're packed with concentrated flavor that will elevate the entire dish's taste.
• Use full-fat heavy cream for the richest, most luxurious sauce texture that clings perfectly to the chicken and spinach.
• Don't be shy with seasoning – garlic powder, salt, and pepper are crucial for bringing out the deep, complex flavors of this Florentine-style dish.

Creamy Chicken Florentine Recipe

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4.9 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Chicken Florentine elevates weeknight dining with its rich, velvety sauce and tender spinach-infused chicken. Elegant Italian-inspired comfort beckons home cooks to savor each luxurious, creamy bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 large chicken breasts

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Cooking and Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) dry white wine
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
• 2 cups (loosely packed) fresh baby spinach
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Additional Ingredient:

• Flour for dredging

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Instructions

1. Slice chicken breasts horizontally to create four thin, even pieces. Apply seasoning of garlic powder, salt, and pepper across both surfaces. Dust lightly with flour to develop a crisp, golden exterior during cooking.
2. Warm olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken pieces for 4-5 minutes per side until achieving a rich golden color. Transfer chicken to a separate plate, keeping pan drippings intact.
3. Reduce heat and add remaining butter with minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds, releasing aromatic flavors without scorching the garlic.
4. Deglaze the skillet by pouring wine and chicken broth. Use a wooden spoon to scrape accumulated flavor bits from pan bottom. Incorporate Italian seasoning and allow liquid to simmer and reduce for 3-5 minutes.
5. Lower heat and introduce heavy cream. Gently bubble for 2 minutes, then fold in fresh spinach, stirring until leaves wilt completely.
6. Return chicken to skillet, coating pieces with creamy sauce. Simmer for additional 4-5 minutes until chicken reaches full doneness and sauce thickens slightly. Garnish with freshly grated parmesan before serving.

Notes

• Slice chicken thinly to ensure quick, even cooking that locks in moisture and reduces preparation time.
• Use a meat thermometer to check chicken reaches 165°F internally for safe consumption without overcooking.
• Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for lighter, lower-calorie version that maintains creamy texture.
• Enhance gluten-free adaptation by replacing wheat flour with cornstarch or almond flour during chicken dredging process.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 42 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg