Creamy Chicken Florentine

Indulge in the rich, comforting flavors of Creamy Chicken Florentine — a classic Italian-inspired dish with golden-seared chicken breasts in a creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce with fresh spinach. Perfect for weeknight dinners yet elegant enough for special occasions.
Italian-style dinner plate with creamy chicken Florentine, golden seared chicken breasts in garlic-Parmesan sauce with spinach

Indulge in the rich, comforting flavors of Creamy Chicken Florentine, a classic Italian-inspired dish that combines tender chicken, creamy sauce, and fresh spinach. This one-pan recipe is simple to prepare, making it perfect for weeknight dinners while elegant enough for special occasions.

What is This Italian-Inspired Chicken Dish?

Origins of the Dish

Chicken Florentine traces its name back to Florence, Italy. Traditionally, Florentine dishes highlight spinach, often paired with a creamy white sauce.

Why It’s Loved Today

Modern versions like Creamy Chicken Florentine bring together golden-seared chicken breasts, garlic, cream, and Parmesan with vibrant spinach for a hearty yet fresh flavor.

Ingredients Needed for Chicken Florentine

Essential Ingredients

  • Chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
  • Fresh spinach
  • Garlic & onion
  • Heavy cream
  • Chicken broth
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Olive oil & butter
Creamy Chicken Florentine with chicken breasts, fresh spinach, garlic, onion, heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil
Ingredients for creamy Florentine chicken

Optional Add-Ins

  • Sun-dried tomatoes for tang
  • Mushrooms for earthiness

Step-by-Step Creamy Chicken Florentine

Preparing the Chicken

  1. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and a touch of paprika.
  2. Sear in butter and olive oil until golden brown, then set aside.
Chicken breasts being seasoned with salt, pepper, and paprika for Creamy Chicken Florentine
Seasoning Chicken Breasts for Creamy Chicken Florentine
Chicken breasts searing in butter and olive oil until golden brown for Creamy Chicken Florentine
Chicken breasts being seared in butter and olive oil to achieve a golden brown crust.

Making the Sauce

  1. In the same skillet, sauté garlic and onion.
  2. Add chicken broth and heavy cream.
  3. Stir in Parmesan until creamy.
  4. Add spinach until just wilted, then return chicken to coat.
Garlic and onion sautéing in a skillet with butter and olive oil for Creamy Chicken Florentine
Skillet with creamy chicken Florentine sauce made with chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan, spinach, and seared chicken breasts

Tips for Perfect Creamy Chicken Florentine

Avoid Overcooking

Cook chicken until it reaches 165°F to keep it juicy.

Sauce Perfection

After adding the heavy cream and broth, keep the skillet at a gentle simmer instead of letting it reach a rapid boil. Boiling cream too aggressively causes the fat to separate, leaving behind a grainy or curdled texture that can ruin the smooth consistency of the sauce.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigeration and Reheating

Store your Creamy Chicken Florentine in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a broth to keep the sauce smooth.

Nutrition Breakdown

Calories & Macronutrients

  • Calories: 420
  • Protein: 32g
  • Carbs: 6g
  • Fat: 28g

Vitamins & Minerals

  • High in Vitamin A & K (from spinach)
  • Good source of calcium & iron

FAQs

What is chicken Florentine made of?

It’s made of chicken breasts, spinach, a creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce, and sometimes white wine or mushrooms.

What does Florentine style mean?

“Florentine” refers to a dish prepared with spinach, inspired by Florence, Italy.

What is the flavor of Florentine sauce?

It has a rich, creamy flavor enhanced by garlic, Parmesan, and earthy spinach.

What’s the difference between chicken Florentine and cordon bleu?

Chicken Florentine is a creamy spinach dish, while Chicken Cordon Bleu is chicken stuffed with ham and cheese, then breaded and baked or fried.

Conclusion

This Creamy Chicken Florentine recipe is more than just a quick one-pan meal—it’s a dish that brings comfort, elegance, and flavor to your table. With tender chicken, creamy Parmesan sauce, and the freshness of spinach, it’s a dinner you’ll want to make again and again. If you enjoyed this recipe, you can discover more inspiration and share your own kitchen creations with us on Pinterest, join the food conversation on Tumblr, stay updated with quick tips on X (Twitter), or explore more cooking stories on Medium.

Meet Emily Culino

Emily Culino is the recipe creator behind Easy Cooking US. She shares simple, comforting dishes with a focus on flavor and ease, helping home cooks enjoy delicious meals every day.

Table of Contents
Italian-style dinner plate with creamy chicken Florentine, golden seared chicken breasts in garlic-Parmesan sauce with spinach

Creamy Chicken Florentine

Emily Culino
Indulge in the rich, comforting flavors of Creamy Chicken Florentine — a classic Italian-inspired dish with golden-seared chicken breasts in a creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce with fresh spinach. Perfect for weeknight dinners yet elegant enough for special occasions.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 420 kcal

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • wooden spoon
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • tongs
  • cutting board and knife

Ingredients
  

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 cups fresh spinach
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • to taste salt and black pepper
  • 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  • In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter. Sear chicken on both sides until golden brown and cooked through (165°F internal temperature). Remove and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic until fragrant and softened.
  • Add chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir gently and bring to a simmer.
  • Stir in Parmesan until melted and creamy.
  • Add spinach and cook until just wilted. Mix in sun-dried tomatoes or mushrooms if using.
  • Return chicken to the skillet, coating well in sauce. Simmer 2–3 minutes before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, add sun-dried tomatoes or mushrooms to the sauce. Be sure to simmer gently after adding cream to prevent curdling. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat slowly with a splash of broth.

Nutrition

Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 32gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 560mgPotassium: 720mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 6200IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 260mgIron: 2.5mg
Keyword chicken florentine, creamy chicken recipe, Italian chicken dinner, spinach chicken skillet
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