Italian Creamy Chicken Skillet
Italian Creamy Chicken Skillet is a delicious and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken with a creamy sauce infused with Italian herbs and spices.
While Italian Creamy Chicken Skillet is undoubtedly delicious, it tends to be on the richer side due to the creamy sauce and cheese. Whether it’s considered a healthy dish depends on your personal dietary goals and preferences. Here’s a breakdown of some nutritional aspects:
Protein: Chicken is a good source of lean protein, which is essential for muscle maintenance and various bodily functions.
Vegetables: The inclusion of tomatoes and spinach adds vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber to the dish.
Creamy Sauce: The creamy sauce is made with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, which can contribute to the dish’s richness and calorie content.
Calories and Fat: The cream and cheese can make this dish higher in calories and saturated fat. If you’re watching your calorie or fat intake, you might want to moderate your portion size.
Nutritional Balance: While this dish offers protein and some vegetables, it might lack a balance of other nutrients. To make it more balanced, consider serving it with a side salad or additional vegetables.
Customization: You can make adjustments to make the dish slightly healthier. For instance, you could use Greek yogurt or a lighter cream alternative to reduce the fat content while still achieving creaminess. Adding more vegetables and using whole-grain pasta or brown rice can also increase its nutritional value.
In summary, the Italian Creamy Chicken Skillet can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet, but it’s important to be mindful of portion sizes and the richness of the creamy sauce. If you’re looking for a lighter version, consider making substitutions or modifications to reduce the calorie and fat content while still preserving the flavors.
Italian Creamy Chicken Skillet
Italian Creamy Chicken Skillet Cooking Time
Total Time
35 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (such as basil, oregano, and thyme)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Cooked pasta or rice, for serving
Preparation
- Start by seasoning the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until they are golden brown on both sides and cooked through. This usually takes about 6-7 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chicken. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed, then add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent.
- Add the minced garlic, dried Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Sauté for about a minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for another couple of minutes until they start to soften.
- Pour in the chicken broth and let it simmer for a few minutes to reduce slightly.
- Lower the heat to medium-low, then add the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Add the baby spinach to the skillet and let it wilt into the sauce.
- Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce.
- Allow everything to simmer together for a few more minutes so the flavors meld.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the creamy chicken over cooked pasta or rice, garnished with fresh basil leaves.
- Enjoy your delicious Italian Creamy Chicken Skillet!
- Feel free to customize this recipe by adding other ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, or olives, based on your preferences.
