Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Season and sear the chicken
- Season the chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high until shimmering, then sear the chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F; remove to a plate.
Build the sun-dried tomato cream sauce
- In the same pan, cook the minced garlic for 30 seconds to release aroma. Add the drained sliced sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute, stirring.
- Pour in the chicken broth and deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, then simmer for 4-5 minutes until thickened.
Wilt spinach and finish
- Stir in the fresh baby spinach until wilted. Return the chicken breasts to the pan and spoon the sauce over each breast.
- Garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately.
Notes
For restaurant-style sauce thickness, simmer until it visibly thickens and lightly coats the back of a spoon, then serve right away so the cream stays glossy. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stove over low heat with a splash of broth or cream. Freezing is not recommended because the cream can break. For a lighter option, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream (sauce will be thinner—simmer a bit longer to thicken).
