Creamy Tuscan Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

One-Pan Tuscan Chicken – So Creamy, Flavorful & Easy!

This creamy Tuscan chicken is an easy one-skillet dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes and packed with so much flavor.

Juicy chicken breasts are pan-seared until golden, then simmered in a fragrant and creamy garlicky sauce cooked with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach.

Unlike traditional creamy Tuscan chicken recipes that rely on heavy cream, butter and Parmesan, this dairy-free version uses a creamy plant-based alternative while keeping all the savory, comforting flavors you expect from the dish. And because the recipe doesn’t require regular flour or other gluten-containing ingredients, it’s naturally gluten-free as well.

It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, for when you need something quick and tasty.

(Fun Fact: Tuscan chicken did not traditionally originate from Tuscany, Italy. Rather, this favorite chicken dish is an Italian-American dish whose ingredients and flavors are associated with Tuscan/Italian cooking. It was possibly made popular by Olive Garden, an Italian-American restaurant chain.)

Why You’ll Love this Recipe:

• Simple Ingredients: The ingredients needed for this Tuscan chicken skillet recipe are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
• Super Easy to Make: Everything comes together in one skillet, which means minimal cleanup. Plus, this recipe is ready in 30 minutes from scratch, making it ideal for easy weeknights!
• Packed with Flavor: Every bite is flavorful thanks to the fresh garlic, Italian seasoning, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and basil.
• Totally Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: This recipe is 100% gluten-free (no wheat required!) and dairy-free (we obtain a rich, velvety sauce with dairy-free heavy cream and dairy-free Parmesan), which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can still enjoy it without issues.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making this creamy Tuscan chicken skillet.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Recipe Notes + Substitutions:

• Chicken: I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but if you prefer, you can also use chicken thighs for a juicier option.
• Seasonings: I used Italian seasoning along with salt and pepper because this is an Italian-inspired dish. However, if you don’t have Italian seasoning, you can also use garlic powder or onion powder if you prefer.
• Olive Oil: I recommend using extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
• Shallots: Shallots have a milder, slightly sweeter flavor than regular onion. But if you don’t have shallots, you can use finely sliced red onions instead.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic adds fragrance and flavor to the creamy sauce, so definitely make sure to add it in.
• Tomatoes: I used a mix of sun-dried tomatoes and fresh cherry tomatoes, but you can also use all sun-dried tomatoes which have a sweeter and more concentrated flavor.
• Spinach: I used fresh spinach (baby spinach is ideal, but you can also use chopped regular spinach). Alternatively, you may also use frozen spinach if that’s what you have (just make sure to squeeze out the water from the frozen spinach so it doesn’t dilute the sauce).
• Cream: To keep this recipe dairy-free, I’ve used dairy-free heavy cream. However, if you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular heavy cream instead.
• Parmesan Cheese: Likewise, I’ve used dairy-free Parmesan cheese to keep this recipe dairy-free. However, if you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular Parmesan cheese instead.
• Red Pepper Flakes: A pinch of dried red pepper flakes (dried chili flakes) adds a little kick of heat. However, if you can’t take heat, feel free to leave it out.
• Basil: I like garnishing this Italian-inspired chicken dinner with fresh basil as it adds a beautiful Italian flavor.

How to Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken:

Season Chicken & Sear: Season the chicken breasts with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat up 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sear the chicken on one side for 3-4 minutes.

Flip and Sear the Other Side: Flip and sear the other side, then let the chicken cook for another 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Remove and set aside.

Dish by Dish Testing Notes:

• Make Sure to Sear the Chicken: It’s important to sear the chicken because a good golden-brown crust will add considerably more flavor as opposed to simply simmering raw chicken in the sauce.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Skillet: If your skillet isn’t large enough, I recommend searing the chicken in batches. Overcrowding causes the chicken to steam instead of brown (and we want seared chicken for the flavor, not steamed!).
• Simmer, Not Boil: Once the dairy-free cream and the dairy-free parmesan has been added, let the sauce ingredients simmer on low-heat until it reaches the consistency you like. Simmering allows the sauce to cook evenly, resulting in a smooth, creamy consistency.
• Let Sauce Reduce: If you find that the sauce is still too watery, let it simmer for a few more minutes until it has reduced to the desired consistency.

Other Gluten-Free Chicken Recipes You’ll Love:

• Teriyaki Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Smothered Chicken Thighs (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken & Potatoes (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Marry Me Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

30-Minute Gluten-Free Recipes:

P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!

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Creamy Tuscan Chicken (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

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• Author: Felicia Lim
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Low-Carb

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Description

This 30-minute creamy Tuscan chicken is an easy one-skillet dinner made with tender chicken breasts, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach in a rich, creamy sauce. Completely gluten-free and dairy-free, yet still delivers the comforting, savory flavor of classic Tuscan chicken. Perfect for a simple weeknight dinner served with veggies, rice or potatoes.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approx. 1.5 to 2 pounds)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 shallot, thinly sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1 1/2 cups dairy-free heavy cream
• 1/4 cup dairy-free parmesan cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
• Fresh basil, to garnish

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Instructions

1. Season Chicken & Sear: Season the chicken breasts with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat up 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sear the chicken on one side for 3-4 minutes.
2. Flip & Sear the Other Side: Flip and sear the other side for another 3-4 minutes, until golden. Remove and set aside.
3. Sauté Shallots, Tomatoes & Garlic: In the same pan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and sauté the shallots until soft. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters, and garlic, and cook for 1 more minute.
4. Add Spinach: Add the baby spinach to the pan. Cook over low heat for a couple of minutes, until the spinach wilts.
5. Add Cream, Chili Flakes & Cheese: Pour in the dairy-free heavy cream, then add the chili flakes and dairy-free parmesan cheese. Stir and heat through for a couple of minutes.
6. Return Chicken to Skillet: Return the chicken to the pan and cook for another 6 minutes. Switch off the heat, then cover the pan and let the chicken rest in the pan for 5-7 minutes before serving.
7. Garnish & Serve: Garnish the Tuscan chicken skillet with fresh basil leaves and serve with rice, pasta or potatoes if you like.

Notes

Chicken: I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but if you prefer, you can also use chicken thighs for a juicier option.

Seasonings: I used Italian seasoning along with salt and pepper because this is an Italian-inspired dish. However, if you don’t have Italian seasoning, you can also use garlic powder or onion powder if you prefer.

Olive Oil: I recommend using extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.

Shallots: Shallots have a milder, slightly sweeter flavor than regular onion. But if you don’t have shallots, you can use finely sliced red onions instead.

Garlic: Fresh garlic adds fragrance and flavor to the creamy sauce, so definitely make sure to add it in.

Tomatoes: I used a mix of sun-dried tomatoes and fresh cherry tomatoes, but you can also use all sun-dried tomatoes which have a sweeter and more concentrated flavor.

Spinach: I used fresh spinach. Alternatively, you may also use frozen spinach if that’s what you have (just make sure to squeeze out the water from the frozen spinach so it doesn’t dilute the sauce).

Cream: To keep this recipe dairy-free, I’ve used dairy-free heavy cream. However, if you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular heavy cream instead.

Parmesan Cheese: Likewise, I’ve used dairy-free Parmesan cheese to keep this recipe dairy-free. However, if you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular Parmesan cheese instead.

Red Pepper Flakes: A pinch of dried red pepper flakes (dried chili flakes) adds a little kick of heat. However, if you can’t take heat, feel free to leave it out.

Basil: I like garnishing the dish with fresh basil as it adds a beautiful Italian flavor.

• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins
• Category: chicken, Main Dishes
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American, Italian