Creamy Tuscan Chicken • best chicken thigh recipe!! (2024)

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“Delish! A welcome new dish for our Keto meal plan – thanks for the recipe!.” ~Suzanne

Creamy Tuscan Chicken • best chicken thigh recipe!! (1)

when it comes to chicken recipes, Tuscan chicken is king!

This creamy Tuscan chicken recipe is the kind of meal that draws people like a magnet…they wander into the kitchen from all directions, noses high in the air, begging to know what smells so delicious. What cook doesn’t live for those moments? And it all comes together in about 30 minutes…check it out!

Creamy Tuscan Chicken • best chicken thigh recipe!! (2)

did you know?

Tuscan garlic chicken is a cult favorite pasta dish at The Olive Garden, and it’s been copied a lot because it’s so mouthwatering. Leave it to a large chain restaurant to come up with such an irresistible combination of ingredients ~ they know what people want. My version ditches the pasta and uses chicken thighs, but there’s no reason you can’t put it over pasta if you crave that.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken • best chicken thigh recipe!! (3)

chicken thighs are best for this recipe

I like to use bone in, skin on, thighs. Why? Thigh meat is fattier, more tender and flavorful than other cuts. I use bone-in thighs because cooking chicken with the bone adds even more flavor. However you can use whatever part of the chicken you like, including chicken breasts, or a whole fryer chicken cut in parts, it all works.

TIP: if you use skin on thighs you’ll want to keep that skin out of the sauce until serving, so it stays crisp. If you use skinless chicken you can submerge it in the sauce.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken • best chicken thigh recipe!! (4)

how to build a quick pan sauce for Tuscan chicken thighs

Just like with your Thanksgiving turkey, the gravy is everything in this recipe. I love to sauté minced shallots and garlic in those drippings before adding the Marsala wine to deglaze the bottom and really grab up every bit of flavor. You’ll brown whatever chicken you’re using in some olive oil until both sides are nice and golden. You can either cook the meat right on the stove top, or pop it in the oven to finish cooking while you make the sauce.

The Tuscan sauce finishes with chicken stock and heavy cream. It gets more flavor, color, and texture from sun dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach. I threw in a few chopped cherry tomatoes because they were sitting on the counter. Good move.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken • best chicken thigh recipe!! (5)

the right pan for Tuscan chicken thighs

A wide shallow cast iron casserole with a lid (sometimes called a braiser) is perfect for this dish. These can range from pricey, to not so pricey, and there are lots of choices. I think every kitchen needs one, they cook evenly and make a beautiful stove or oven to table presentation.

If you cook from my blog you might recognize this pan from these other chicken recipes:

  • CHICKEN THIGHS WITH WHITE BEANS AND WILTED GREENS
  • LEMON CHICKEN BIRYANI
  • CHICKEN WITH CRACKED OLIVES AND HERBS
Creamy Tuscan Chicken • best chicken thigh recipe!! (6)


“This is my second time making this dish and it’s delicious! It was so easy to make and also the ingredients weren’t too expensive to buy. Great family dinner meal.” ~Cassie

Creamy Tuscan Chicken • best chicken thigh recipe!! (7)

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Thighs

3.67 from 648 votes

Creamy Tuscan chicken thighs inspired by Olive Garden ~ crispy chicken in a creamy sauce is a 30 minute chicken thigh recipe the family loves!

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Cook Time:40 minutes minutes

Total Time:40 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 6 bone in/skin on chicken thighs
  • olive oil
  • salt and fresh cracked black pepper
  • 1 large shallot, peeled and minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup Marsala wine (or Vermouth, or dry white wine)
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, jarred, in olive oil
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (go for the good stuff!)
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped (I like to use baby spinach)
  • 1/2 cup chopped cherry tomatoes, or any good red tomatoes
  • parsley or fresh thyme for garnish

Instructions

  • Coat the bottom of a large shallow cast iron skillet or braising pan with olive oil and heat on medium heat until hot. Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper and then brown, skin side down for about 15 minutes, until the skin is nice and crisp. Flip the chicken and cook for another 15 minutes, or until done. The meat should read 160F on an instant read thermometer. Set aside on a plate and cover with foil, or put in a warm oven while you make the sauce.

  • Add the shallot and garlic to the pan and saute, stirring constantly, for a couple of minutes. Then add the Marsala wine and let it bubble down while you scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

  • Add the chicken stock, heavy cream, and sun dried tomatoes, and cook the sauce for a few minutes until it starts to thicken, stirring frequently. Scrape up everything from the bottom and sides of the pan into the sauce. NOTE: This isn’t a super thick sauce, but it will thicken somewhat as it cooks.

  • Add the cheese and stir until incorporated. Add the chopped spinach and fresh tomatoes to the pan, and cook until the spinach has wilted. Add the chicken back into the pan and heat through before serving, garnished with fresh parsley or thyme.

Video

Notes

  • My husband’s a dedicated thigh man, hence I used thighs, but this recipe is just as good with any chicken parts, and you can make a super quick meal with chicken cutlets, which are thinly sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts.
  • Use chopped chicken instead of the whole thighs, and serve this over pasta. The pasta absorbs all that creamy sauce and it’s fantastic.
  • Cut calories and fat by using a little more chicken stock and less cream. Let the chicken stock reduce, and you can thicken the sauce with a little Wondra flour.
  • I use the sun-dried tomatoes that come in oil, in a jar, but if you only have the dry kind, re-hydrate them in warm water before using.
  • For no-alcohol version replace wine with chicken stock, although be aware that some of the alcohol evaporates off, and the flavor payoff is huge. Even a tablespoon or two will make a difference in the flavor of this sauce.

NEW FEATURE! Click here to add your own private notes.

Course: dinner

Cuisine: Italian American

Author: Sue Moran

Keyword: chicken, chicken thighs, dinner, one pot

Nutrition

Calories: 620 kcal · Carbohydrates: 9 g · Protein: 29 g · Fat: 52 g · Saturated Fat: 22 g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 6 g · Monounsaturated Fat: 18 g · Trans Fat: 0.1 g · Cholesterol: 216 mg · Sodium: 345 mg · Potassium: 625 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 3 g · Vitamin A: 2176 IU · Vitamin C: 16 mg · Calcium: 146 mg · Iron: 2 mg

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although The View from Great Island attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

Did You Make This?We love seeing what you’ve made! Tag us on social media at @theviewfromgreatisland for a chance to be featured.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken • best chicken thigh recipe!! (8)

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Creamy Tuscan Chicken • best chicken thigh recipe!! (2024)

FAQs

What is Tuscan chicken sauce made of? ›

Add heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Whisk sauce over medium-high heat until starting to thicken, about 5 minutes. Add spinach and sun-dried tomatoes; simmer until spinach starts to wilt, about 1 minute.

How to infuse flavor into chicken thighs? ›

The spice rub is a great way to add big flavor without adding any fat or calories. Spices like smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, cayenne, and thyme will make the most flavorful spice rub for your chicken, so make sure to always have your pantry stocked with some spices.

What to pair with tuscan chicken? ›

The best side dishes to serve with Tuscan Chicken are mushroom risotto, mashed potatoes, bacon wrapped asparagus, shrimp skewers, polenta, cauliflower steaks, creamed corn, eggplant parmesan, brown rice, french fries, zucchini noodles, carrot mash, Israeli couscous, Caprese salad, and garlic bread.

How to thicken tuscan sauce? ›

Make a Slurry: Mix equal parts flour and water or other liquid together. Stir a good amount of the mixture into simmering sauce; cook for a few minutes, then add more until you have your desired consistency.

What is Tuscany sauce made of? ›

It's the most amazing blend of sun-dried tomatoes, cream, garlic, parmesan, and tasty seasonings. Whether it's pasta, meat, or fish, this sauce does it all! If you love Tuscan cooking as much as I do, here are a few recipes you have to try!

Should I flip chicken thighs when baking? ›

There is no need to rotate the pan or flip the chicken thighs at any point during the baking process. Let the chicken thighs rest in the baking pan for at least 10 minutes then serve 'em on up!

Is it better to fry or bake chicken thighs? ›

If you're looking for a quick, relatively easy path to crispy-skinned thighs with juicy meat, call in the skillet-only method. If you're a stickler for even cooking, the sear and high-heat roast method is the way to go. For beautifully flavored meat and a light, crisp skin, try the dry brine and slow roast.

What is the best oil to sear chicken in? ›

To prevent the chicken from sticking to the pan, use a high-heat cooking oil like canola. Searing is great for chicken tenders, boneless chicken breasts, and thighs (boneless, skinless, or otherwise). With skin-on cuts, you'll want to sear the chicken skin-side down until the skin is golden brown.

How do you get sauce to stick to chicken thighs? ›

Set your oven to broil and apply a thin coat of sauce to the meat; make sure you cover it completely but don't glob it on. Now put the meat on a rack beneath the broiler and wait until you see the sauce starting to bubble (should be no more than 1-2 minutes if you've applied enough sauce and your oven is hot enough).

What tenderizes chicken thighs? ›

Low and slow cooking methods like braising, stewing, or smoking are most effective when trying to create tender, succulent chicken.

How do you get seasoning to stick to chicken thighs? ›

Don't forget to season under the skin.

First loosen the chicken skin — this can be done by carefully sliding a paring knife underneath the skin, or by hand — and then thoroughly incorporate both your seasoning and a layer of fat under the skin. Next coat the chicken generously with salt, pepper, spices, or a dry rub.

What is a staple in all Tuscan food? ›

Tuscans love beans – as a side dish, with pasta, in a soup, as a puree, whether they are green, white, Borlotti or fava, beans are a staple in the diet of Tuscany, so much so that Tuscans are referred to by other Italians as mangiafa*gioli or “Bean Eaters.”

What does Mary Berry serve with Tuscan chicken? ›

Based on a classic creamy chicken dish, Tuscan chicken is one of Mary Berry's favourites when she needs an easy supper. It's lovely served with potatoes, rice or pasta.

What makes Tuscan? ›

The Tuscan flavor profile includes herbs such as rosemary, basil, parsley, thyme and marjoram. Aromatics like onion, garlic, red bell pepper and spicy red pepper flakes along with cracked black pepper. Lemon and citrus play a large part in the Tuscan flavor so lemon zest and lemon crystals make an appearance as well.

What is the white sauce coming out of chicken? ›

The white stuff coming out of chicken as it cooks is simply extra protein that dissolves in water and is forced out of the meat by heat.

Which leading sauce is a sauce suprême prepared from? ›

Suprême sauce derives from velouté sauce, a “mother sauce” traditionally made from roux (a mixture of butter and flour) and meat stock—in this case, chicken stock or chicken broth. The sauce is reduced with heavy cream or crème fraîche, strained through a fine sieve or strainer, and often finished with lemon juice.

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