Chicken Florentine is a delightful dish that combines tender chicken breasts with fresh spinach and a creamy sauce. It’s a simple recipe that brings together flavors that everyone loves. This meal is not only delicious but also looks beautiful on the plate, making it perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Why Make This Recipe
Making Chicken Florentine is a great choice for many reasons. First, it’s easy to prepare, so you don’t need to be a master chef to impress your family and friends. Second, it’s packed with flavor from the garlic, cream, and Parmesan cheese, which makes it a comforting dish. Lastly, you can customize it with your favorite sides, like pasta or rice, making it a versatile option for any meal.
How to Make Chicken Florentine
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooked pasta or rice (optional)
Directions:
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Sear the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side until cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
- Add fresh spinach and cook until wilted.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon the sauce over the chicken, and simmer for a few minutes until warmed through.
- Serve over cooked pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.
How to Serve Chicken Florentine
Serve Chicken Florentine hot, drizzled with the creamy sauce over it. You can put it over a bed of cooked pasta or rice to soak up all the delicious flavors. Adding a side salad or some crusty bread complements the meal perfectly, making it a filling and satisfying dish.
How to Store Chicken Florentine
If you have leftovers, store Chicken Florentine in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready to eat it again, simply reheat it on the stove over low heat until warmed through. You can also add a splash of cream if the sauce has thickened too much.
Tips to Make Chicken Florentine
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy.
- You can add mushrooms or tomatoes for extra flavor and color.
- If you want a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Fresh spinach works best, but you can use frozen spinach if that’s what you have on hand. Just be sure to drain any excess water.
Variation
Feel free to customize Chicken Florentine to your taste. You can add different herbs, like basil or thyme, or even toss in some sun-dried tomatoes for a tangy twist. You can also use different types of cheese if you prefer something other than Parmesan.
FAQs
1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes, chicken thighs will work well for this recipe. Just adjust the cooking time as needed.
2. Is Chicken Florentine gluten-free?
Yes, if you skip the pasta or use gluten-free pasta, Chicken Florentine can be a gluten-free meal.
3. Can I make this dish in advance?
You can prepare the chicken and sauce in advance and store them separately. Just combine and reheat them before serving.
Chicken Florentine
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 pieces chicken breasts Pounded to an even thickness for even cooking
- 2 cups fresh spinach Can substitute with frozen spinach, make sure to drain excess water
- 1 cup heavy cream Can use half-and-half for a lighter version
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Substitute with your preferred cheese if desired
- 2 cloves garlic, minced Provides flavor to the sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil For cooking the chicken
- to taste none Salt and pepper For seasoning the chicken
- as needed none Cooked pasta or rice (optional) For serving, can use to soak up the sauce
Instructions
Preparation
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Sear the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side until cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Cooking
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
- Add fresh spinach and cook until wilted.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon the sauce over the chicken, and simmer for a few minutes until warmed through.
Serving
- Serve Chicken Florentine hot, drizzled with the creamy sauce over it.
- Put it over a bed of cooked pasta or rice to soak up all the delicious flavors.