Creamy Dreamy Chicken Florentine: An Easy Taste of Italy in Your Kitchen
Imagine dipping your fork into a tender, pan-seared chicken breast, smothered in a delicious, velvety sauce, smothered in bright green spinach and the rich aroma of Parmesan. That, my friends, is the magic of Chicken Florentine. This classic dish from the heart of Italy (the “Florentine” style indicating the inclusion of spinach) offers a delicious combination of flavorful chicken and a creamy, comforting embrace. While it sounds elegant enough for a special occasion, this recipe is surprisingly simple, making it a perfect contender for a satisfying weekend meal that will transport your taste experiance straight to Tuscany. Get ready to discover how easy it is to bring this creamy, dreamy Italian delight to your own kitchen!
This easy chicken breast recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, yet fancy enough for date nights or special occasions. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a healthy, high-protein dinner idea that works for a variety of diets including low-carb, keto, and family-friendly meals.
Unlike other creamy chicken dinner recipes, this one is versatile — serve it over pasta for a hearty Italian feast, pair it with zucchini noodles for a low-carb chicken recipe for weight loss, or enjoy it with rice or mashed potatoes as a comfort food classic.
With its perfect balance of flavor, nutrition, and convenience, this Chicken Florentine is more than just another Italian chicken recipe — it’s a go-to dish that makes healthy eating delicious. Whether you’re searching for a quick chicken dinner idea, a keto-friendly chicken recipe, or a creamy spinach chicken dish, this recipe will be your new favorite.
Related: Keto Vegetarian Recipe
Benefits of making Chicken Florentine:
Explosion of flavor: This dish is a delightful combination of rich, savory, and comforting flavors. The creamy sauce combined with the tender chicken and vibrant spinach makes for a truly satisfying culinary experience.
Relatively quick and easy: Chicken Florentine is surprisingly easy to prepare, making it a great option for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. You can have a restaurant-quality meal on the table in relatively little time.
Impressive and versatile: This dish is elegant enough to impress guests, yet simple enough for a weekend meal. It pairs well with a variety of sides, giving you plenty of options for creating a complete and satisfying dinner.
Chic way to eat healthy: Chicken Florentine is a delicious way to incorporate healthy spinach into your meals. The creamy sauce makes it appealing even to those who aren’t big fans of green vegetables.
Customizable: This recipe is highly adaptable. You can easily customize it to your liking by adding different cheeses, vegetables, or spices.
Suggested: Lemon Pepper Zucchini Pasta With Dill
About this Chicken Florentine Recipe
The ultimate Chicken Florentine recipe — creamy, fast, and crowd-pleasing. Below you’ll find clear reasons to choose this easy chicken dinner for weeknights, date nights, meal prep, and even special occasions.
Fast & Easy (30-minute dinner)
Sear, simmer, serve — ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want a restaurant-quality meal without the fuss.
Healthy & High-Protein
Lean chicken breast + iron-rich spinach = a balanced, high-protein dinner option suited to weight-loss and fitness diets.
Versatile (Keto, Low-Carb, Family-Friendly)
Use heavy cream for a keto chicken version, or swap for half-and-half for a lighter option — everyone loves this creamy classic.
What is Chicken Florentine?
Chicken Florentine is an Italian-inspired dish where pan-seared chicken breasts are served with a rich, garlicky Parmesan-cream sauce studded with tender wilted spinach. The term “Florentine” in cooking historically signals a recipe that features spinach — a classic culinary shorthand from Florence, Italy.
Why Make This Recipe?
- Time-efficient: Get dinner on the table in ~30 minutes.
- Economical: Uses pantry staples — chicken, spinach, garlic, and Parmesan.
- Scalable: Easy to double for meal prep or halve for two servings.
- Customizable: Easily adapted to keto, low-fat, dairy-free, or pescatarian versions.
If you want a quick, family-friendly meal that looks and tastes like a restaurant meal, choose this recipe. If you’re going low-carb or keto, use heavy cream and skip the flour – you’ll still get the same tempting texture.
Is Chicken Florentine Healthy?
This dish can be very healthy, depending on your choice of ingredients. With lean chicken breast and plenty of spinach, Chicken Florentine provides a high-protein, vitamin-rich meal. To make it the best for your health goals:
- For weight loss / lower calories: Use half-and-half or light cream and reduce the butter/oil. Serve with steamed vegetables or a green salad instead of pasta.
- For keto / low-carb: Use heavy cream, skip flour/cornstarch, and serve over zucchini noodles or cauliflower mash.
- For dairy-free: Substitute coconut cream or unsweetened cashew cream (note: flavor profile changes).
Related: Paneer Tikka Masala Recipe
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (lean protein — pound thin if thick for even cooking)
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (or 2 tbsp butter for richer flavor)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (use 1 tsp garlic powder in a pinch)
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach(or 1½ cups frozen spinach, well-drained — Florentine = spinach-forward)
- 1 cup heavy cream (for keto/low-carb, keep heavy cream; for lighter swap: half-and-half or evaporated milk)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (avoid pre-grated anti-caking cheese for best melt & taste)
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or ½ tsp dried oregano + ½ tsp dried basil)
- Salt & freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (optional) (for thickening — skip for keto/use 1 tsp xanthan gum for low-carb thickening)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (garnish)
Related: Instant Pot Pulled Chicken Recipe
Step-by-Step Instructions 👩🍳 — Chicken Florentine (Creamy Italian Chicken)
Follow these easy, restaurant-style steps to make the best Chicken Florentine recipe — a creamy chicken with spinach and Parmesan.
Step 1 — Prep & Pound the Chicken
Pat 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts dry. Lightly pound to an even ½” thickness for fast, even cooking. Season both sides generously with salt, black pepper, and 1 tsp Italian seasoning — this builds the base flavor for your easy chicken dinner.
Tip: If you prefer extra-lean, use thin sliced chicken breasts; for juicier results, use a quick brine (1 cup water + 1 tsp salt, 10 minutes).
Step 2 — Sear the Chicken Until Golden
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil (or 1 tbsp butter + 1 tbsp oil) in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, sear each chicken breast 4–5 minutes per side until a golden crust forms and internal temperature hits 160–165°F (71–74°C). Remove the chicken and tent with foil to rest — this locks in juices for a tender, high-protein main dish.
Step 3 — Make the Garlic Parmesan Cream Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add 2 cloves of minced garlic and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant. Add ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits (flavor city!). Stir in 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter), and ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan until smooth.
Pro tip: To keep sauce velvety, simmer gently; to thicken, whisk 1 tsp cornstarch into 1 tbsp cold water and stir in, or sprinkle 1 tbsp flour and cook 1–2 minutes (not necessary for keto).
Step 4 — Add Spinach (Florentine!)
Add 2–3 cups fresh baby spinach (or 2 cups tightly packed) to the warm sauce. Stir until wilted (about 1–2 minutes). The vibrant spinach is the signature of any Florentine dish and adds iron and fiber.
Health callout: Spinach adds folate, iron, and vitamins.
Step 5 — Return Chicken to the Sauce & Finish
Return the rested chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon the creamy spinach sauce over each piece, and simmer 2–3 minutes to meld flavors. Finish with a squeeze of lemon (optional) and a sprinkle of parsley and extra grated Parmesan.
Serving: Serve over fettuccine for comfort, zoodles for low-carb, or mashed potatoes for a family dinner.
Step 6 — Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheat Notes
To meal-prep: cool completely, store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. For freezing, place portions in freezer-safe containers up to 2 months. Reheat gently on low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to refresh the sauce.
Related: Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Variations & Substitutions for Chicken Florentine Recipe
Here are some delicious and easy variations & substitutions to make this creamy chicken dish fit your needs. These options can transform your recipe into restaurant-quality chicken at home, especially if you are on a keto diet, gluten-free meal plan, or Weight Watchers program.
🥓 Low Carb & Keto-Friendly
- Swap flour with almond flour or coconut flour for dredging.
- Use heavy cream instead of milk for a rich, keto creamy sauce.
- Add extra Parmesan cheese & spinach for more flavor and healthy fats.
🌾 Gluten-Free Option
- Skip regular flour and use gluten-free flour blend.
- Thicken the sauce with cornstarch slurry instead of roux.
- Serve with rice, quinoa, or gluten-free pasta.
🥥 Dairy-Free Alternative
- Replace cream with coconut cream or oat milk.
- Use dairy-free mozzarella or cashew cream for cheesiness.
- Cook with olive oil or avocado oil instead of butter.
⚖️ Weight Watchers Friendly
- Use skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs.
- Swap heavy cream with fat-free Greek yogurt for a creamy texture.
- Serve with zoodles or steamed veggies instead of pasta.
🥦 Vegetarian Twist
- Replace chicken with tofu, mushrooms, or chickpeas.
- Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Add more leafy greens like kale or Swiss chard for nutrition.
Suggested: Corn Chowder Recipe
Serving Suggestions for Chicken Florentine
Chicken Florentine is a versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas for creating a complete and satisfying meal:
- Pasta: Serve it with your favorite pasta, such as linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti, to soak up the creamy sauce.
- Rice: White rice, brown rice, or a hearty risotto are all excellent accompaniments.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes provide a comforting base for the rich sauce and tender chicken.
- Bread: Serve with crusty bread to mop up every bit of the delicious sauce.
- Steamed or Roasted Vegetables: A simple side of steamed or roasted vegetables, such as asparagus, broccoli, or green beans, adds a healthy touch and a bit of texture.
- Side Salad: A fresh side salad with a light vinaigrette adds a unique dimension to the richness of Chicken Florentine.
- Garnish: Sprinkle with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese for an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal.
- Warm Plate: Serve Chicken Florentine on a warm plate to keep the dish at the perfect temperature.
- Family Style: Serve Chicken Florentine on a large serving dish and let everyone help themselves.
For a twist, consider serving Chicken Florentine with creamy polenta.
No matter what you choose, Chicken Florentine is sure to be a hit!
Suggested: Low Carb High Protein Recipes
Homemade Chicken Florentine with Creamy Parmesan Spinach Sauce
Chicken Florentine is a creamy, rich, and delicious dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a savory spinach and Parmesan cream sauce. This easy-to-make, comforting recipe brings the best of Italian-American cuisine to your table, making it perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Cook the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown and fully cooked, 6-7 minutes on each side (internal temperature should be 165°F). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: Melt the butter in the same skillet. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Make the creamy sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and cook over low heat. Add the heavy cream and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg, if using.
- Finish the sauce: Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens. If you prefer a cheesier sauce, you can add mozzarella cheese at this point.
- Return the chicken to the pan: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the pan, pour some of the sauce over the top, and let simmer for another 5 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb some of the flavor.
- Serve: Add lemon juice if desired and serve hot with the creamy spinach sauce.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half or coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
- You can add sautéed mushrooms to the sauce for extra flavor.
- If you don't have chicken broth, vegetable broth is a great substitute.
- Serve Chicken Florentine over pasta, rice, or even fresh vegetables for a delicious meal.
- For an extra crunch, garnish with a few toasted pine nuts or chopped almonds.
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Frequently Asked Questions — Chicken Florentine Recipe
Chicken Florentine is a classic Italian-inspired dish of pan-seared chicken breasts served in a rich garlic-Parmesan cream sauce with wilted spinach. The term “Florentine” historically signals the presence of spinach (a culinary nod to Florence, Italy).
Yes. For a keto chicken Florentine, use heavy cream, full-fat Parmesan, and skip flour or cornstarch (or use a low-carb thickener). Serve over zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or a bed of sautéed greens for a low carb dinner.
Yes. For a lighter or dairy-free version, substitute coconut milk or coconut cream (for dairy-free) or use half-and-half or evaporated milk for lower calories. Swap Parmesan for a dairy-free cheese alternative if needed.
Serve Chicken Florentine with fettuccine, garlic mashed potatoes, steamed rice, or zucchini noodles for a low-carb option. For wine, a crisp Pinot Grigio or unoaked Chardonnay complements the creamy Parmesan sauce. Use this when deciding a dinner menu or planning a date night meal.
Yes. Cook the chicken and sauce, cool completely, and refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 3 days. Reheat gently over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream to revive the sauce. For freezing, store without pasta for up to 2 months.
Reduce gently to thicken the sauce, or whisk in grated Parmesan (it naturally thickens while adding umami). For a gluten-free thickener, use a small slurry of arrowroot or xanthan gum (in small amounts).
A typical serving (about 1 chicken breast with sauce) is roughly ~350–450 calories depending on cream choice and portion size and is high in protein (25–40g). Use half-and-half or light substitutes to reduce calories.
Yes. Fresh spinach dries quickly and gives the best texture; frozen spinach is best when completely thawed and thoroughly dried — squeeze out excess moisture before adding to the sauce to avoid a watery cream sauce.
Gluten-free: Skip flour or use gluten-free flour/arrowroot. Dairy-free: Use coconut cream or unsweetened nut milk + dairy-free Parmesan. Vegetarian: Replace chicken with mushrooms, firm tofu, or chickpeas for a protein-rich alternative.
The sauce may separate if overheated or if acidic ingredients are added too quickly. Remove the sauce from high heat and whisk in a small amount of warm broth or additional grated Parmesan; reheating over low heat, stirring constantly, usually brings the sauce back together.
Spinach is loaded with vitamins A, C, K, iron and antioxidants — excellent for a nutrient-dense, low-calorie boost in recipes like Chicken Florentine.
If chicken is overcooked, slice it thinly and serve in the sauce to restore moisture. If the sauce is too thin, simmer gently to reduce, or whisk in a small amount of grated Parmesan or a cornstarch slurry (mix 1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp cold water).
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