If you’re searching for a comforting, elegant, and quick dinner, look no further than this Chicken Florentine Recipe. Imagine tender chicken breasts nestled in a velvety, garlicky cream sauce, brightened with fresh spinach and a pop of lemon. This dish feels restaurant-worthy but comes together effortlessly in your own kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for family on a weeknight or inviting friends over for a cozy meal, Chicken Florentine Recipe is always a crowd-pleaser that brings a touch of Italian flair to your table.

Chicken Florentine Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken Florentine Recipe is all about letting simple ingredients shine. Each item plays a key role in building layers of flavor, bringing color to the plate, and creating that irresistible creamy sauce that ties everything together.

Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are lean and tender, providing the perfect base for soaking up the luscious sauce.
Salt: Just the right amount to properly season the chicken and bring out the flavors in the dish.
Black pepper: Adds a gentle heat and a bit of sharpness to balance the creamy sauce.
Olive oil: Gives the chicken a gorgeous golden sear and adds a subtle fruity note.
Butter: Melts into the sauce for extra richness and classic flavor.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic infuses the sauce with aromatics for that signature Italian taste.
Heavy cream: The backbone of your creamy sauce, making it luscious and decadent.
Chicken broth: Lightens the cream while adding savory depth to the sauce.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan melts beautifully, adding saltiness and a nutty flavor.
Baby spinach: Fresh spinach wilts down into the sauce, giving color, nutrients, and a touch of earthiness.
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that brings classic Mediterranean notes to the dish.
Lemon juice: Just a splash brightens the sauce and cuts through the richness.
Flour (optional): Use if you want your sauce a bit thicker—just a tablespoon does the trick.

How to Make Chicken Florentine Recipe

Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken

Start by seasoning your chicken breasts generously with salt and black pepper on both sides. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken breasts and sear them for about 5 to 6 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Don’t overcrowd the pan—you want that beautiful crust! Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Flavorful Base

Reduce the heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. Let it melt, then toss in the minced garlic. Sauté for about a minute until the garlic is fragrant but not browned. This step builds a wonderful aromatic foundation for your Chicken Florentine Recipe.

Step 3: Build the Creamy Sauce

Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring well to combine with the garlic butter. Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and fresh lemon juice. Let everything simmer for 2 to 3 minutes so the flavors meld and the cheese melts into the sauce. If you love a thicker sauce, whisk in the flour now and let it cook for another couple of minutes.

Step 4: Add the Spinach

Stir the fresh baby spinach into the sauce. It will look like a lot at first, but spinach wilts down quickly. Gently fold it in until it’s just wilted, turning the sauce a beautiful shade of green and adding freshness to your Chicken Florentine Recipe.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy spinach sauce. Spoon some of the sauce over each piece and let everything simmer together for 2 to 3 minutes, just until the chicken is heated through. Serve your Chicken Florentine Recipe hot, with extra sauce ladled over the top.

How to Serve Chicken Florentine Recipe

Garnishes

Sprinkle the finished dish with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a few cracks of black pepper for a burst of flavor. A scatter of fresh chopped parsley or basil adds a beautiful pop of green and a touch of freshness.

Side Dishes

This Chicken Florentine Recipe pairs perfectly with pasta, rice, or even a simple crusty bread to mop up all that luscious sauce. For a lighter meal, serve with roasted vegetables or a crisp green salad on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special dinner, try slicing the chicken and fanning it out over a bed of creamy polenta, or serve individual portions in mini cast iron skillets. You can even spoon the sauce and spinach over spiralized zucchini noodles for a low-carb twist!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let any leftovers cool to room temperature before transferring them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days—just be sure to keep the chicken and sauce together so the flavors continue to meld.

Freezing

If you want to freeze your Chicken Florentine Recipe, place the cooled chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container. It will keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently on the stove.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the chicken and sauce together in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen it up. Avoid microwaving, as it can separate the sauce and make the chicken tough.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this Chicken Florentine Recipe?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are juicy, flavorful, and work beautifully in this dish. Just adjust the cooking time as thighs may take a bit longer to cook through.

Is it possible to make a lighter version of Chicken Florentine Recipe?

Yes, you can substitute half-and-half or even whole milk for the heavy cream to lighten up the sauce. Keep in mind the sauce will be a bit less rich, but still delicious.

What can I use if I don’t have fresh spinach?

If fresh baby spinach isn’t available, frozen spinach works in a pinch. Just be sure to thaw and squeeze out any excess moisture before adding it to the sauce.

How do I keep the chicken juicy and tender?

Don’t overcook the chicken—sear it until just cooked through, then remove from the pan while you make the sauce. Letting it finish in the sauce for a couple of minutes keeps it moist and flavorful.

Can I make this Chicken Florentine Recipe gluten-free?

Definitely! Simply omit the flour for thickening, or use a gluten-free alternative. The sauce will still be creamy and satisfying.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about sharing a hearty, creamy, and flavorful meal like Chicken Florentine Recipe with people you love. It’s easy enough for a weeknight, yet impressive enough for guests. Give it a try and let this timeless Italian-inspired dish become a new favorite at your table!

Chicken Florentine Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

A rich and creamy Chicken Florentine recipe featuring tender seared chicken breasts simmered in a flavorful Parmesan cream sauce with fresh spinach and Italian seasoning, perfect for an elegant yet easy-to-make dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Fats and Aromatics

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce Ingredients

1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon flour (optional, for thickening)

Vegetables

4 cups fresh baby spinach

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Instructions

Season Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and black pepper on both sides to enhance flavor.
Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare Sauce Base: Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, sauté the minced garlic for about 1 minute, stirring frequently, until fragrant but not browned.
Combine Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the heavy cream, chicken broth, and grated Parmesan cheese. Add Italian seasoning and fresh lemon juice, mixing well to combine all flavors.
Simmer Sauce: Let the sauce simmer gently for 2–3 minutes to allow ingredients to meld together. If a thicker sauce is preferred, whisk in 1 tablespoon of flour and continue cooking for another 2–3 minutes while stirring constantly.
Add Spinach: Toss in the fresh baby spinach, stirring until the leaves are wilted and fully incorporated into the creamy sauce.
Reheat Chicken: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them. Simmer for an additional 2–3 minutes to warm the chicken through and marry the flavors.
Serve: Serve the Chicken Florentine hot, pairing it with sides like pasta, rice, or crusty bread for a complete meal.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
Boneless chicken thighs can be used as an alternative to chicken breasts for a juicier texture.
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce if you want a subtle spicy kick.
Omit the flour or use gluten-free flour to maintain a gluten-free dish.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American