Chicken Florentine with Creamy Spinach Sauce

Chicken Florentine is a classic Italian-inspired dish celebrated for its luscious, creamy spinach sauce and perfectly cooked golden chicken cutlets. The term “Florentine” refers to dishes prepared in the style of Florence, Italy—typically featuring spinach as a star ingredient.

This dish strikes a perfect balance: juicy pan-seared chicken breasts lay smothered in a silky garlic-parmesan cream sauce infused with wilted spinach, butter, and herbs. The flavors are rich yet delicate, cozy yet elegant—and it all comes together in under 30 minutes!

Whether you’re craving something comforting for a weeknight dinner or a recipe impressive enough for a dinner party, Chicken Florentine delivers every time.

Why I Love This Recipe

There are many reasons this dish holds a permanent place in my recipe rotation:

• The sauce is creamy without being heavy, thanks to the brightness of spinach and a hint of lemon.
• The chicken stays tender and juicy with a perfect seared crust.
• It feels fancy—but is incredibly simple and quick.
• It pairs beautifully with nearly anything: pasta, mashed potatoes, rice, bread, or roasted vegetables.

It’s the kind of recipe that makes the kitchen smell magical and gets people excited to gather around the table.

Why You Must Try This Dish

You must try Chicken Florentine because:

• It’s easy, elegant, and universally loved.
• It uses everyday ingredients but tastes like something from a fine dining restaurant.
• It’s family-friendly and customizable.
• It works for romantic dinners, guests, holidays, or just a cozy night in.

Once you try it, you’ll wonder how something so simple can taste this good.

Prep & Cook Time

Step	Time
Preparation	10 minutes
Cooking	20–25 minutes
Total Time	30–35 minutes

Servings & Nutrition

• Servings: 4
• Calories: ~420 per serving (varies with cream and cheese amount)

Course & Cuisine

• Course: Main Course
• Cuisine: Italian / Italian-American

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 large chicken breasts, sliced into cutlets
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter

For the Creamy Spinach Sauce:

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups fresh spinach (roughly chopped)
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

Step-by-Step Cooking Method

Step 1: Prepare and Season Chicken

1. Pat chicken dry.
2. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Step 2: Pan-Sear the Chicken

1. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
3. Remove from pan and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Spinach Sauce

1. In the same pan, add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
2. Add chicken broth and scrape browned bits for flavor.
3. Pour in heavy cream and stir.
4. Add Italian seasoning and Parmesan.
5. Simmer until slightly thickened.
6. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
7. Stir in lemon juice and season to taste.

Step 4: Combine

Place the chicken back into the skillet and coat with the creamy spinach sauce. Simmer 2–3 minutes to marry flavors.

How to Serve

Serve warm with:

• Buttered pasta or linguine
• Garlic mashed potatoes
• Steamed basmati rice
• Cauliflower mash
• Crusty bread for extra sauce

Garnish with:

• Fresh parsley
• Extra parmesan
• Crushed red pepper (optional)

Recipe Tips

• Slice chicken evenly for faster, uniform cooking.
• Don’t rush browning—the caramelized crust adds major flavor.
• Use freshly grated parmesan to prevent graininess.
• If sauce gets too thick, thin with broth or milk.

Variations

• Healthy/Light: Use milk instead of cream and low-fat cheese.
• Mushroom Florentine: Add 1 cup sautéed mushrooms.
• Bacon Florentine: Add crispy bacon bits to the sauce.
• Tomato Version: Add sun-dried tomatoes or cherry tomato halves.
• Protein Swap: Use shrimp, salmon, or turkey cutlets.

Freezing & Storage

Storage Method	Duration
Refrigerator	3–4 days (airtight container)
Freezer (without spinach added)	Up to 2 months
Reheating	Warm slowly on stove with added cream or broth

Special Equipment Needed

• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Sharp knife
• Wooden spoon or silicone spatula

FAQ

Q: Can I use frozen spinach?
Yes, thaw fully and drain excess moisture before adding.

Q: Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes—use coconut cream and dairy-free Parmesan alternative.

Q: Can I prep ahead?
Yes, the sauce and chicken can be stored separately until serving.

Conclusion

Chicken Florentine with Creamy Spinach Sauce is the perfect combination of simplicity and elegance—comforting, flavorful, and effortlessly impressive. Once you make it, this will become your go-to dinner when you want something delicious, quick, and deeply satisfying.