Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Season and sear the chicken
- Pat the chicken dry, then season both sides generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika to taste. Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high until shimmering, then place chicken in the pan.
- Sear the chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a plate or rack to rest while you make the sauce.
Build the sun-dried tomato cream sauce
- In the same skillet, cook minced garlic over medium-high for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the drained, sliced sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in chicken broth and deglaze the pan, scraping up the browned bits. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, then simmer for 4-5 minutes until thickened and glossy.
Finish with spinach and serve
- Stir in the baby spinach and cook just until wilted, keeping the sauce creamy and thick. Return the chicken to the pan and spoon the sauce over each breast.
- Garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately with any pan sauce remaining.
Notes
For the richest texture, avoid boiling the cream too aggressively; keep it at a gentle simmer until thickened (about 4-5 minutes). Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days; reheat gently in a skillet or microwave with a splash of broth to loosen the sauce. Freezing is not recommended because cream sauce can split when thawed. Dietary swap: use half-and-half for a lighter sauce, expecting it to be slightly thinner—simmer 1-2 minutes longer to thicken.
