Chicken Florentine Recipe
Lush, creamy, and bursting with savory elegance, this Chicken Florentine Recipe is the dish I pull out when I want to wow family or friends without breaking a sweat in the kitchen. Picture perfectly seared chicken breasts bathed in a Parmesan-laced cream sauce, brightened with a splash of lemon, and layered with tender baby spinach for a stunning pop of color. Whether it’s a cozy weeknight dinner or a special meal, you’ll love how each ingredient elevates the final bite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need a mile-long shopping list to create a restaurant-worthy Chicken Florentine Recipe! Each ingredient plays a key part, delivering tender chicken, velvety sauce, and that signature Italian flair. Here’s what you’ll need and why they matter:
- Chicken Breasts: Lean, boneless, and skinless cuts ensure quick cooking and pair beautifully with the creamy sauce.
- Salt: Enhances every flavor, making the dish taste bright and well-seasoned.
- Black Pepper: Adds gentle spice and warmth—freshly cracked is my go-to.
- All-Purpose Flour: A quick dredge helps the chicken brown beautifully and thickens the sauce ever so slightly.
- Olive Oil: Your searing hero—it gives the chicken golden, tasty edges.
- Butter: Brings creamy richness to the sauce and melds wonderfully with garlic.
- Garlic: Just three cloves, but what a difference! Sautéed in butter, garlic sets the fragrant stage for this dish.
- White Wine or Chicken Broth: Deglazes the pan, loosening all those savory brown bits for extra depth.
- Heavy Cream: The backbone of the luxurious sauce—full fat is best for dreamy consistency.
- Parmesan Cheese: Salty, nutty, and utterly cheesy—don’t skip this touch of umami.
- Fresh Baby Spinach: Wilts quickly in the sauce, adding freshness and classic Florentine color.
- Italian Seasoning: A little sprinkle ties those Italian-American vibes together.
- Lemon Juice (optional): Squeeze this in for a delightful, sunny brightness right before serving.
- Fresh Parsley: Chopped parsley brings a pop of green and an herbal finish to every plate.
How to Make Chicken Florentine Recipe
Step 1: Season and Dredge the Chicken
Begin by patting your chicken breasts dry with paper towels—this is key for that gorgeous golden crust! Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides, then dust them lightly with all-purpose flour. This simple coating not only helps achieve a crisp sear but also gives the sauce a subtle body.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil (let it shimmer) and lay in the chicken breasts. Cook each side for four to five minutes, until they’re golden brown and just cooked through. Once they reach an internal temp of 165°F, transfer the chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm.
Step 3: Create the Flavor Base
Without wiping the pan clean (those browned bits are flavor gold!), reduce the heat to medium-low and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and gently sauté for about a minute, just until fragrant—you don’t want the garlic to brown, just bloom.
Step 4: Build the Creamy Sauce
Pour in the white wine (or chicken broth if you prefer) and use a wooden spoon to scrape up anything sticking to the skillet’s bottom. Let this simmer for a couple of minutes, reducing slightly, then stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Simmer the sauce until it thickens just enough to coat the back of your spoon, which usually takes three to five minutes.
Step 5: Add Spinach and Finish
Toss in the baby spinach and let it wilt gently into the sauce—this takes only a minute or two. Return the seared chicken to the pan, nestling each breast into the creamy spinach sauce. Spoon some sauce over the top, let everything simmer together for another couple of minutes, and finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice if you love brightness.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Just before serving, shower everything with chopped fresh parsley. That final sprinkle gives your Chicken Florentine Recipe a fresh, garden-inspired finish. Plate generously and get ready for applause!
How to Serve Chicken Florentine Recipe
Garnishes
A finishing flourish of chopped parsley is a must to brighten things up. If you’re feeling fancy, add a dusting of extra Parmesan or a smattering of lemon zest for even more aroma. A quick drizzle of olive oil before serving can also add a beautiful sheen and silkiness to the dish.
Side Dishes
Chicken Florentine Recipe shines alongside fluffy mashed potatoes, a tangle of buttered pasta, or crisp, warm slices of rustic bread—perfect for mopping up that lush sauce. A crisp green salad or roasted vegetables make for a lovely, lighter contrast if you want to keep things fresh and balanced.
Creative Ways to Present
Go playful with individual gratin dishes, each portion bubbling under its own puddle of sauce and greens. You can also slice the chicken and fan it out over a bed of wilted spinach, spooning the sauce across the top. Or try serving the chicken atop creamy polenta or garlicky rice for a hearty Italian-American twist that everyone will remember.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Allow the chicken and sauce to cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. The Chicken Florentine Recipe keeps well in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure to store the chicken nestled in plenty of sauce to keep it tender and moist!
Freezing
While cream-based sauces can sometimes separate upon freezing, this dish handles it surprisingly well if cooled completely before freezing. Place leftovers in a freezer-safe container, removing as much air as possible. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results, then reheat gently when ready to enjoy.
Reheating
Reheat your Chicken Florentine Recipe slowly on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often to recombine the creamy sauce and prevent any curdling. If the sauce seems a little thick after chilling, add a splash of broth or cream to restore its silkiness. Microwave reheating works in a pinch too—just be sure to cover the dish and use a medium setting to avoid drying out the chicken.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for this Chicken Florentine Recipe?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a fantastic substitute—they’re even juicier and more flavorful. Just be sure to adjust the searing time, as dark meat may need a couple of extra minutes to cook through.
What kind of wine works best for the sauce?
A dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio brings a crisp note that balances the richness. If you prefer not to use alcohol, chicken broth is a perfect stand-in and still delivers depth and flavor.
Can I make this Chicken Florentine Recipe dairy-free?
You can swap in coconut cream and a dairy-free Parmesan-style cheese, though the flavor will be different. The sauce will still be luscious and the spinach will play off the coconut in a slightly sweet (but delicious) way!
Is it possible to lighten up the sauce?
Yes! Replace the heavy cream with half-and-half, light cream, or a mix of milk and a little Greek yogurt for a lighter, but still creamy, sauce. The texture will be thinner, but the comfort and flavor will remain.
Can I prep any components of the Chicken Florentine Recipe in advance?
Definitely. You can dredge and season the chicken ahead of time and keep it in the fridge, wrapped, until ready to cook. The sauce comes together quickly, so making that fresh is best—but you can grate your cheese and chop the garlic and parsley in advance to shave off a few minutes!
Final Thoughts
Cooking up this Chicken Florentine Recipe is such a treat—effortless enough for casual nights and impressive enough for celebrations. Try it once, and you’ll find yourself reaching for this creamy, flavorful classic any time you want comfort and a dash of Italian-inspired flair. Happy cooking, friend!
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Chicken Florentine Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich flavors of Chicken Florentine, a creamy and savory dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a luscious Parmesan cream sauce and fresh spinach. This Italian-American classic is perfect for a cozy family dinner or a special meal with friends.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- juice of 1/2 lemon (optional)
- chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge in flour. Sear in olive oil until golden brown and cooked through. Set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic. Add wine or broth, then cream, Parmesan, and seasoning. Simmer until thickened.
- Finish the Dish: Add spinach to the sauce until wilted. Return chicken to the pan, spoon sauce over, and simmer together. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Notes
- Great served with mashed potatoes, pasta, or crusty bread.
- Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 39g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
