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Chicken Florentine Recipe

Chicken Florentine Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 8 reviews

Chicken Florentine is a delicious and creamy skillet dish featuring tender, pounded chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection and served in a rich garlic Parmesan sauce with fresh spinach. This classic Italian-American recipe is flavorful, comforting, and perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ½ cup flour
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (finely shredded)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Sauce and Cooking

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 ½ cups white wine (or chicken broth)
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 1/3 cup softened cream cheese
  • 3 cups fresh spinach
  • ½ fresh lemon or 1.5 tablespoons lemon juice (optional)
  • Fresh parsley (to garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Place saran wrap over each chicken breast and use a meat tenderizer to pound until about ½-inch thick and even in thickness. Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  2. Coat the Chicken: In a bowl, combine flour, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Dredge each chicken breast in the mixture and tap off any excess coating.
  3. Sear the Chicken: Melt butter and olive oil together in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts in batches if necessary, and cover the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. Deglaze the Pan: Turn heat off briefly, then add white wine (or chicken broth) to the skillet. Return heat to medium and use a silicone spatula to scrape up browned bits from the bottom and sides of the pan. Let the liquid reduce by half, approximately 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add minced garlic during the last minute of reduction.
  5. Add Dairy: Warm the half and half in the microwave for about 40 seconds. Gradually add it to the skillet in small splashes while stirring to combine. Bring the sauce to a gentle bubble, then reduce heat to low.
  6. Incorporate Cream Cheese: Stir in softened cream cheese until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
  7. Wilt Spinach: Add fresh spinach to the sauce and cook until wilted and tender. Stir in lemon juice if using, for a fresh touch.
  8. Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken breasts and any accumulated juices back to the skillet. Cover and heat through for a few minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

  • For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
  • White wine can be replaced with chicken broth for a milder flavor or if avoiding alcohol.
  • Carefully monitor the sauce heat to avoid curdling the cream cheese.
  • Pounding the chicken helps it cook evenly and remain tender.
  • Fresh lemon juice brightens the rich sauce but can be omitted if preferred.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
  • Serve over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken Florentine, creamy chicken, spinach chicken recipe, Italian chicken dish, garlic Parmesan sauce

Find it online: https://todayquickmeals.com/chicken-florentine-recipe/