Magical Chicken Florentine Recipe: A Dreamy Dinner Delight

Succulent chicken wrapped in a creamy spinach Italian creamy chicken Florentine sauce speaks to the heart of comfort cooking.

Layers of delicate flavors meld together in this classic dish that transports you straight to a cozy Italian kitchen.

Tender chicken breasts bathe in a rich, velvety sauce studded with vibrant spinach and fragrant herbs.

Parmesan cheese adds a salty depth that makes each bite utterly irresistible.

The combination of simple ingredients creates a restaurant-quality meal you can easily prepare at home.

Elegant yet approachable, this Chicken Florentine turns an ordinary dinner into a memorable culinary experience.

Let’s uncover the magic of this delectable recipe that promises to delight every palate.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 640 kcal

Servings: 2

Creamy Chicken Florentine Ingredient Lineup

• Chicken Breasts: Choose boneless, skinless cuts for tender, lean meat with maximum flavor absorption.
• Salt: Enhances chicken's natural taste and helps tenderize the meat.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth to the chicken's seasoning.
• Garlic Powder: Delivers concentrated garlic flavor without chopping fresh garlic.
• Paprika: Provides gentle warmth and beautiful golden color to the chicken.

• Olive Oil: Creates perfect searing surface for chicken with rich, Mediterranean flavor.
• Butter: Adds luxurious richness and helps create smooth, velvety sauce texture.
• Chicken Broth: Builds foundational savory flavor and helps deglaze the pan.
• Heavy Cream: Transforms sauce into silky, indulgent consistency.
• Parmesan Cheese: Introduces sharp, nutty undertones and helps thicken sauce.

• Garlic: Fresh minced provides intense, aromatic punch to the sauce.
• Italian Seasoning: Blends herbs that complement chicken and create depth.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient for gentle, warming spiciness.
• Fresh Spinach: Adds vibrant green color and nutritious leafy element.
• Lemon Juice: Bright, acidic note that balances the creamy sauce.

Tools to Cook Chicken Florentine Smoothly

• Large skillet: Essential for cooking chicken and creating creamy sauce.
• Spatula or tongs: Perfect for flipping chicken and moving it around the pan.
• Cutting board: Needed for preparing garlic and chicken.
• Sharp knife: Used for mincing garlic and slicing chicken.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure seasonings and spices.
• Wooden spoon or whisk: Great for stirring sauce and ensuring smooth consistency.
• Meat thermometer: Ensures chicken reaches safe internal temperature of 165F.
• Plate: Used for temporarily holding cooked chicken.

How to Make This Classic Chicken Spinach Pasta Dish

• Spice Up the Chicken

Generously coat chicken with a blend of seasonings to enhance flavor and create a delicious crust.

• Sizzle and Brown

Heat oil in a skillet and cook chicken until it develops a beautiful golden exterior and reaches perfect doneness.

• Create the Magical Sauce

Remove chicken and transform the same skillet into a creamy wonderland by melting butter and releasing garlic’s aromatic magic.

• Build Flavor Layers

Pour in broth, then whisk in cream and Parmesan, creating a velvety sauce that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Add Some Green Goodness

Toss fresh spinach into the sauce, letting it soften and release its vibrant color and nutrients.

• Reunite Chicken and Sauce

Gently return chicken to the skillet, allowing it to bathe in the luscious, creamy mixture.

• Serve and Enjoy

Plate your masterpiece over your favorite base – pasta, rice, or alongside crusty bread – and savor every delectable bite.

Add Mushrooms, Sundried Tomatoes, or More Herbs

• Make-Ahead Magic: Prep the chicken and sauce components separately up to 2 days in advance, storing them in airtight containers in the refrigerator to save time during busy weeknights.
• Low-Carb Love: Swap pasta or rice with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a lighter, keto-friendly version that maintains all the creamy, flavor-packed goodness.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan to create a rich, allergen-friendly sauce that's just as delicious.
• Spice It Up: Transform the dish by adding different herbs like fresh basil or thyme, or experiment with smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to give the sauce an extra kick of flavor.
• Protein Swap: Try this recipe with shrimp, turkey breast, or even firm tofu for a versatile meal that works with various protein sources while keeping the creamy Florentine spirit intact.

Serve Over Pasta, Rice, or With a Crusty Baguette

• Pasta Paradise: Serve this creamy chicken over fettuccine or linguine for a classic Italian-inspired dining experience that lets the sauce cling perfectly to each noodle.
• Salad Sidekick: Pair the dish with a crisp mixed green salad topped with cherry tomatoes and a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy chicken sauce.
• Bread Buddy: Grab some garlic bread or a crusty baguette to soak up every last drop of the decadent Parmesan and cream sauce, ensuring no flavor goes to waste.
• Grain Bowl Delight: Spoon the chicken and sauce over fluffy quinoa or brown rice for a nutritious and satisfying meal that adds extra texture and wholesome goodness.

Store Florentine for a Cozy Next-Day Meal

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover Chicken Florentine in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Quick Reheating Technique: Warm portions gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to maintain sauce consistency and prevent drying out.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Separate chicken and sauce before freezing in sealed containers for up to 2 months, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Meal Prep Wisdom: Prepare ingredients in advance, cooking chicken and chopping spinach earlier in the day to streamline dinner preparation and reduce cooking stress.

Dreamy Chicken Florentine Recipe

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4.6 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Homemade creamy chicken Florentine delivers Italian comfort on a plate, blending tender chicken with spinach and rich sauce. Simple ingredients create restaurant-quality magic that brings Mediterranean warmth right to your dining table.

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Ingredients

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• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups (90 grams) fresh spinach
• 1 cup (240 ml/240 milliliters) heavy cream
• ½ cup (120 ml/120 milliliters) chicken broth
• ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 2 tbsps butter
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional, for brightness)

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Instructions

1. Seasoning Blend: Create a robust flavor profile by thoroughly coating chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
2. Searing Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, then cook chicken until golden-brown and internal temperature reaches 165F / 75C, ensuring a perfectly crisp exterior.
3. Sauce Foundation: Reduce skillet heat, melt butter, and quickly sauté minced garlic to release its aromatic essence; deglaze pan with chicken broth, scraping up flavorful browned bits.
4. Sauce Development: Whisk in heavy cream, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, simmering gently to create a rich, velvety sauce that thickens and melds flavors.
5. Spinach Integration: Fold fresh spinach into the creamy mixture, allowing it to wilt and incorporate seamlessly while brightening the sauce with a splash of lemon juice.
6. Final Composition: Return chicken to the skillet, coating thoroughly with sauce, warming through for a final minute to ensure even heat distribution.
7. Plating: Serve the creamy chicken Florentine over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or alongside crusty bread, presenting a luxurious and comforting meal.

Notes

• Maximize Chicken Flavor: Create a robust seasoning blend by generously coating chicken, ensuring spices penetrate deeply for maximum taste profile.
• Perfect Searing Technique: Use high heat and avoid overcrowding the skillet to achieve golden-brown exterior without steaming the chicken, which preserves moisture and develops rich caramelization.
• Sauce Consistency Control: Simmer sauce slowly and watch carefully, whisking continuously to prevent separation and achieve smooth, creamy texture without curdling or becoming grainy.
• Dietary Adaptation Options: Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for lighter versions, use gluten-free flour if thickening is needed, and swap Parmesan with nutritional yeast for dairy-free alternative.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 41 g
• Cholesterol: 185 mg