Description
Succulent chicken florentine brings Italian-inspired elegance to weeknight dinners with its rich spinach and parmesan sauce. Perfectly balanced flavors and simple preparation make this dish a delightful choice for home cooks seeking restaurant-quality comfort without complicated techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Cooking Fats and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
Liquid and Cheese Components:
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 6 cups (170 grams) fresh spinach
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare chicken by generously seasoning both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs for robust flavor profile.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high temperature until butter melts and pan is sizzling hot.
- Carefully place seasoned chicken breasts into skillet, searing each side for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate, maintaining its crispy exterior.
- Using the same skillet, introduce minced garlic and sauté for approximately 60 seconds until aromatic.
- Deglaze pan by pouring chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up caramelized cooking remnants from skillet bottom.
- Allow broth to simmer briefly, concentrating flavors and creating a rich base for the sauce.
- Incorporate heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring consistently until sauce transforms into a smooth, velvety consistency.
- Gently add fresh spinach leaves, stirring until they wilt and integrate seamlessly into the creamy sauce.
- Reintroduce seared chicken breasts into the skillet, coating them generously with the spinach-infused sauce.
- Simmer for an additional 5 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and develop complex flavors.
- Remove from heat and plate immediately, drizzling remaining sauce over chicken for maximum taste experience.
Notes
- Ensure even chicken thickness by pounding breasts to uniform size for consistent cooking and tender results.
- Opt for fresh baby spinach instead of frozen to maintain vibrant color and crisp texture in the final dish.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for richer, more authentic flavor compared to pre-packaged alternatives.
- Reduce sauce calories by substituting half-and-half or whole milk for heavy cream without compromising creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 150mg