Chicken Florentine is a classic dish that features tender chicken breasts served with a creamy spinach and Parmesan sauce. It’s a flavorful and elegant meal, often served with pasta, rice, or a vegetable side. Here’s a simple recipe for making Chicken Florentine:
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup chicken broth
2 cups fresh spinach (or 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
1 tablespoon flour (optional, for thickening)
Instructions:
Prep the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. If the chicken breasts are thick, you may want to butterfly them or pound them to even thickness for quicker cooking.
Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Make the Sauce:
In the same skillet, add butter and garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant.
If using flour, sprinkle it in and stir for about 1 minute to form a roux (this helps thicken the sauce).
Gradually add the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet to release any bits left behind from cooking the chicken.
Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 2-3 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
Add Spinach and Parmesan:
Add the fresh spinach to the sauce and stir until it wilts (or if using frozen, just heat through).
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined. Add thyme and garlic powder if desired for extra flavor. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary with salt and pepper.
Finish the Dish: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon some of the sauce and spinach mixture over the top. Let everything simmer together for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb some of the sauce flavor.
Serve: Serve the Chicken Florentine with pasta, rice, or a side of roasted vegetables. Garnish with extra Parmesan or fresh herbs if desired.
Enjoy your delicious Chicken Florentine!
Chicken Florentine
