Description
Succulent golden seared chicken nestles in a creamy Florentine sauce, inviting palates on a delightful Italian culinary journey. Rich spinach, garlic, and parmesan weave magic into this elegant dish, promising pure comfort for dinner lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Protein:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Dry Ingredients and Seasonings:
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (finely shredded)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Liquid and Soft Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 1/2 cups white wine or chicken broth
- 1 cup half and half
- 1/3 cup softened cream cheese
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 fresh lemon or 1.5 tablespoons lemon juice (optional)
- Fresh parsley (to garnish)
Instructions
- Gently flatten chicken breasts between plastic wrap to an even 1/2-inch thickness, ensuring uniform cooking. Thoroughly pat dry to promote proper browning.
- Create a seasoned dredging mixture, carefully coating each chicken piece, gently shaking off excess flour for a light, crisp exterior.
- Heat a combination of butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the mixture shimmers and becomes fragrant.
- Carefully place prepared chicken into the hot skillet, cooking approximately 4-5 minutes per side until achieving a rich, golden-brown crust. Transfer to a separate plate.
- Reduce skillet temperature to medium, introducing minced garlic and sautéing briefly until aromatic without browning.
- Deglaze the pan with wine or broth, scraping accumulated browned bits, allowing liquid to reduce by half and concentrate flavors.
- Gently warm half and half in microwave for 40 seconds to prevent curdling, then incorporate into the skillet, stirring continuously.
- Whisk cream cheese into the sauce until completely smooth, then fold in fresh spinach, allowing leaves to wilt naturally. Add a splash of lemon juice for brightness.
- Return seared chicken to the skillet, nestling pieces into the creamy sauce. Cover and warm through for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Tenderizing chicken ensures even cooking and helps the meat absorb more flavor from the dredging and sauce.
- Choose high-quality chicken breasts without excess moisture to achieve a perfect golden sear and prevent steaming instead of browning.
- Tempering dairy prevents curdling and creates a smooth, luxurious sauce texture that coats the chicken beautifully.
- For a lower-carb version, replace flour dredge with almond flour or use a light coating of grated parmesan cheese to maintain crispy exterior.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 367 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg