Creamy Tuscan Chicken Thighs
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Thighs feature tender, juicy chicken thighs smothered in a rich, garlicky cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach. This one-pan dish combines savory, tangy, and fresh flavors for a comforting, restaurant-quality meal perfect for weeknights or gatherings.
- Author: Maria
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian / Tuscan
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 6 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (not in oil)
- 1 cup chicken broth (gluten-free if needed)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- Sear the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken skin-side down and sear until the skin is golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Flip and cook an additional 5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside to keep warm.
- Build the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium, then sauté minced garlic in the same skillet until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook 2 minutes to release their flavor. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the pan.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Sprinkle grated Parmesan over the sauce and whisk until smooth and velvety.
- Wilt the Spinach: Add fresh spinach and stir gently until wilted, about 2 minutes, adding a fresh, vibrant balance to the creamy sauce.
- Combine and Finish Cooking: Return chicken to the pan, nestling it into the sauce. Spoon sauce over the chicken, simmer on low heat until cooked through (internal temperature 165°F), about 8-10 minutes. The sauce will thicken and coat the chicken beautifully.
Notes
- Pat chicken thighs dry before seasoning to ensure crispy skin.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when searing; cook in batches if necessary.
- Use full-fat heavy cream and Parmesan for best texture and flavor.
- Add extra chicken broth to thin sauce if it becomes too thick while simmering.
- Let the dish rest off heat for a few minutes to meld flavors before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
Keywords: Creamy Tuscan Chicken, Chicken Thighs, Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken, One-Pan Chicken, Cream Sauce Chicken, Italian Chicken Recipe, Gluten-Free Dinner