Baked Tuscan Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Baked Tuscan Chicken is a creamy, flavorful dish packed with garlic, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. It’s simple to prepare and perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner that feels special.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
• 4 cloves garlic, minced, divided
• 1/3 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup spinach, chopped
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp chili powder
• 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• Sun-dried tomatoes (8 oz jar), drained and chopped, reserve 1 tbsp of oil from the jar
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for topping)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F and spray a 9×13 casserole dish with oil. Slice the chicken breasts horizontally lengthwise to create thinner pieces. Place them in the casserole dish and season with salt, black pepper, and half of the minced garlic, rubbing it into the chicken for flavor.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, heavy cream, and chopped spinach.
3. Step 3: Add the remaining minced garlic, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, onion powder, and chili powder to the bowl. Stir until well blended.
4. Step 4: Mix in ½ cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese.
5. Step 5: Stir all ingredients until fully combined.
6. Step 6: Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the chicken breasts, covering them completely.
7. Step 7: Top the chicken with the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the reserved oil from the jar.
8. Step 8: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the chicken. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
9. Step 9: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs, cod, or tofu for different protein options.
• Use low-fat cream cheese to reduce calories or try mascarpone for a richer taste.
• Swap heavy cream with coconut cream or half-and-half depending on your preference.
• Mix in kale, arugula, or Swiss chard along with spinach for added greens.
• Replace smoked paprika with cayenne or chipotle powder for a spicier version.
• Use Pecorino Romano cheese or nutritional yeast for a plant-based alternative to Parmesan.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through to maintain the creamy texture and flavor.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of cheese in this recipe?

Yes, you can experiment with cheeses like Fontina, Gruyere, or mascarpone to find your favorite flavor combination. Just be mindful that different cheeses may affect the texture and taste.

Is it necessary to slice the chicken breasts lengthwise?

Slicing the chicken breasts lengthwise helps them cook evenly and absorb more of the sauce’s flavor. If you prefer, you can pound the breasts thinner instead.

Baked Tuscan Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 62 reviews

This delicious Baked Tuscan Chicken features tender chicken breasts smothered in a creamy, flavorful spinach and sun-dried tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Infused with garlic and traditional Italian seasonings, it’s an easy yet elegant baked dish perfect for a comforting dinner.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Seasonings

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 4 cloves garlic, minced, divided

Creamy Spinach Mixture

• 1/3 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chopped spinach
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (oregano, thyme, basil)
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp chili powder
• Additional salt and black pepper to taste

Cheeses

• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Additional Toppings

• 8 oz jar sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
• 1 tbsp oil reserved from sun-dried tomato jar
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F and spray a 9×13 casserole dish with oil. Slice each chicken breast horizontally lengthwise to create thinner pieces. Place the chicken breasts in the casserole dish and season with salt, black pepper, and half of the minced garlic. Rub the garlic into the chicken so the flavor sets in.
2. Prepare creamy spinach base: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, heavy cream, and chopped spinach. Mix well to create a smooth base.
3. Add seasonings and mix: To the cream cheese mixture, add the remaining minced garlic, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, onion powder, and chili powder. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended.
4. Add cheeses: Mix in half a cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese along with the grated Parmesan cheese into the creamy spinach mixture, ensuring everything is evenly incorporated.
5. Combine: Stir all ingredients together until fully combined, forming a cohesive cheese and spinach mixture.
6. Spread mixture over chicken: Using a spoon, evenly spread the creamy cheese and spinach mixture over each chicken breast, covering them completely.
7. Add sun-dried tomatoes and oil: Top each chicken breast with chopped sun-dried tomatoes and drizzle the reserved tablespoon of oil over the top to enhance flavor and moisture.
8. Add remaining mozzarella and bake covered: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top of the chicken breasts. Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
9. Bake uncovered and garnish: Remove the foil and continue baking the chicken uncovered for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden, and the chicken is cooked through. Before serving, garnish with freshly chopped parsley.

Notes

• For a lower calorie version, substitute regular cream cheese with low-fat cream cheese.
• You can swap the chicken breasts for cod, chicken thighs, tofu, or eggplant for a different protein or plant-based version.
• If you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes, oven-roasted cherry tomatoes make a great substitute.
• Try mascarpone cheese instead of cream cheese for a richer flavor.
• For a plant-based option, switch Parmesan and mozzarella cheese to nutritional yeast or vegan cheese alternatives.
• Adjust spices like cayenne or chipotle powder replacing chili and smoked paprika for different heat levels.

Keywords: Baked Tuscan Chicken, creamy chicken recipe, sun-dried tomato chicken, spinach and cheese chicken, easy Italian chicken recipe