Creamy Chicken Florentine Recipe

If you’ve been craving a rich, satisfying dinner that’s also surprisingly simple to whip up, you’re going to adore this Creamy Chicken Florentine Recipe. I absolutely love how this dish combines tender chicken breasts with a luscious spinach and white wine cream sauce that feels fancy but comes together in no time. When I first tried this recipe, I couldn’t believe how such few ingredients could create such a flavorful, comforting meal. Stick around because I’ll share everything you need to make it shine in your kitchen!

this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for this Creamy Chicken Florentine recipe come together beautifully, creating layers of taste that complement each other perfectly. I recommend grabbing fresh baby spinach and real Parmesan cheese to maximize that authentic, fresh flavor.

• Chicken breasts: Choose large, fresh chicken breasts – slicing them thin is key for quick, even cooking.
• Garlic powder: I love this for an easy way to infuse garlic flavor without extra prep.
• Salt & pepper: Season generously, it really brings the dish to life.
• Flour: Just a light dredge coats the chicken to get that golden crispy crust.
• Olive oil: Use good quality for a richer taste and better sear.
• Butter: Adds creaminess and depth to the sauce, split for frying and sauce-making.
• Garlic cloves: Fresh minced garlic brings an aromatic punch you simply can’t skip.
• Dry white wine: Essential for deglazing the pan and adding acidity and complexity to the sauce.
• Chicken broth: Helps balance the creaminess and builds flavor.
• Italian seasoning: A perfect blend of herbs to tie all the flavors together.
• Heavy cream: This is what makes the sauce irresistibly smooth and luscious.
• Fresh baby spinach: Tossed in just at the end for vibrant color and a mild, fresh taste.
• Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated is the secret to that irresistible, cheesy finish.

Variations

One of the things I love most about this Creamy Chicken Florentine recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Whether you want to lighten it up or add some extra veggies, you can tailor it to your tastes and dietary needs.

• Use half-and-half or milk: I tried swapping heavy cream for half-and-half to cut some calories, and while it’s a little less rich, it still works nicely.
• Add mushrooms: My family loves me tossing in sliced mushrooms for an earthy twist – just cook them with the garlic.
• Swap spinach for kale or swiss chard: For a heartier green, I’ve sometimes used kale, which holds up well in the creamy sauce.
• Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free flour or cornstarch for dredging – it still gives the chicken a lovely crust.

How to Make Creamy Chicken Florentine Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Season the Chicken

First things first, slice your chicken breasts in half lengthwise to get four thinner pieces – this helps everything cook quickly and evenly. Then, season each side generously with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. I like to dredge the chicken lightly in flour, which gives such a beautiful golden crust when cooking. Don’t skip the flour, trust me on this one!

Step 2: Sear the Chicken to Perfection

Heat olive oil and a tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown. You want that classic crispy exterior while keeping the insides juicy. When done, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside on a plate. This pan will hold all those amazing browned bits that we’ll use next!

Step 3: Build the Creamy Sauce

Return your pan to medium heat and add the remaining butter along with minced garlic. Let that garlic sizzle just until fragrant—about 30 seconds—being careful not to burn it. Then pour in the dry white wine and chicken broth along with Italian seasoning. This step is key: let the mixture simmer for 3-5 minutes so it reduces and concentrates in flavor. When you add the heavy cream after, you’ll get a sauce that’s luxuriously creamy without being too thin.

Step 4: Finish with Spinach and Parmesan

Once your cream sauce has started to bubble, stir in the fresh baby spinach and watch it wilt down. Nestle the chicken breasts back into the sauce and let everything cook together for another 4-5 minutes on medium heat until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens nicely. Just before serving, sprinkle over the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, which melts into that sauce for a cheesy, dreamy finish.

How to Serve Creamy Chicken Florentine Recipe

Garnishes

I like to finish this dish with a sprinkle of extra freshly grated Parmesan and a few twists of freshly cracked black pepper. Sometimes I add a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten things up a bit—makes the creamy sauce feel lighter on the palate. A few torn fresh basil leaves work beautifully here too if you want to add some green aroma and color.

Side Dishes

This creamy chicken pairs perfectly with simple sides like buttery mashed potatoes or garlic roasted potatoes. For something lighter, I like serving it alongside steamed rice or even buttered egg noodles. Roasted veggies such as asparagus or green beans complete the meal nicely without competing with those rich flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special dinner, I’ve served this bakin a glass casserole dish and sprinkled some extra Parmesan and breadcrumbs on top, then broiled it for a couple minutes to get a crispy, golden crust on the cream sauce. It’s an impressive look that everyone loves but takes only minutes of extra effort!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers store wonderfully in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. I always pour a little bit of extra cream or broth over the top to keep the sauce from thickening up too much overnight.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this recipe with decent results, though keep in mind the spinach texture changes slightly upon thawing. I recommend freezing the chicken and sauce separately from any sides, and thaw gently overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the chicken and sauce gently over low heat on the stove, stirring occasionally until heated through. This helps maintain the creamy texture better than microwaving, which can cause separation.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Chicken Florentine recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s an easy way to serve up something that feels indulgent without hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re making it just for yourself or to impress your family or guests, the tender chicken bathed in that garlicky, cheesy, spinach cream sauce never disappoints. Give it a try soon – I promise you’ll be coming back to this recipe again and again!

Print