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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Reduce heat and add remaining butter with minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds, releasing aromatic flavors without scorching the garlic.
- 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.
- Lower heat and introduce heavy cream. Gently bubble for 2 minutes, then fold in fresh spinach, stirring until leaves wilt completely.
- 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