1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Creamy Spinach Chicken Florentine

Chicken Florentine

Featured in Chicken Done Right.

This classic Chicken Florentine transforms simple chicken breasts into something special. The secret lies in getting that perfect golden sear on the chicken first - pounding it thin ensures quick, even cooking and maximum tenderness. The real magic happens with the sauce: a luxurious blend of wine, cream, and wilted spinach that turns this into a restaurant-worthy dish. The garlic and Parmesan add rich flavor, while a splash of lemon brightens everything up. It's one of those dishes that looks and tastes fancy but is actually pretty simple to make. The cream cheese makes the sauce extra velvety, but you can skip it if you prefer. Whether served over pasta, rice, or just with some crusty bread to soak up the sauce, it's guaranteed to impress.
Soo Ben
Updated on Sat, 18 Jan 2025 15:35:41 GMT
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Send Recipe Jump To Recipe
Chicken Florentine Pin it
Chicken Florentine | mamamiakitchen.com

Tender chicken nestled in a velvety garlic cream sauce with fresh spinach creates a restaurant-worthy dish that's surprisingly simple to make at home. This Chicken Florentine combines classic Italian flavors with rich, creamy indulgence, all ready in about 30 minutes. The combination of white wine, garlic, and Parmesan creates a sauce so good you'll want to lick your plate clean.

I first made this recipe when trying to recreate a memorable dish from a tiny restaurant in Florence. After several attempts, this version actually surpassed the original - my Italian neighbor even asked for the recipe!

Essential Ingredients Guide

  • Chicken Breasts: Choose similar-sized pieces for even cooking. The key is slicing them evenly in half horizontally
  • White Wine: Use a wine you'd actually drink - pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc work beautifully
  • Heavy Cream: Full-fat cream is essential for a silky, stable sauce that won't separate
  • Fresh Spinach: Baby spinach offers the most delicate texture and quick cooking time
  • Parmesan: Freshly grated creates a smooth sauce; pre-grated can be grainy
  • Garlic: Fresh cloves only - pre-minced won't deliver the same depth of flavor

Detailed Instructions

Perfect Chicken Preparation
Pat chicken completely dry with paper towels
Season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder
Dredge lightly in flour, shaking off excess
Let rest 5 minutes for coating to adhere
Creating the Golden Crust
Heat pan until oil shimmers but doesn't smoke
Place chicken carefully away from you to avoid splatter
Don't move chicken for first 4-5 minutes
Flip only once for perfect browning
Building the Sauce
Sauté garlic just until fragrant, not brown
Add wine and let reduce by half
Stir in cream gradually while whisking
Let simmer until slightly thickened
Final Assembly
Add spinach in batches to avoid overcrowding
Return chicken to pan to finish cooking
Spoon sauce over chicken frequently
Add Parmesan just before serving
Chicken Florentine Best Recipe Pin it
Chicken Florentine Best Recipe | mamamiakitchen.com

Having made this countless times, I've learned that patience with the wine reduction makes all the difference in the final sauce consistency. My favorite moment is watching the sauce transform from liquid to silky perfection.

Mastering the Perfect Sauce

The secret lies in reducing the wine before adding the cream. This concentrates the flavors and ensures a properly thickened sauce. I discovered this through trial and error - rushing this step leaves you with a thin, less flavorful result.

The Art of Temperature Control

Maintaining the right heat level is crucial. Too high, and the cream sauce can break; too low, and it won't thicken properly. Medium-low heat has proven to be the sweet spot in my kitchen.

Chicken Perfection

The initial sear should be golden but not fully cooked - the chicken will finish cooking gently in the sauce, ensuring perfectly tender results every time.

Creamy Chicken Florentine Pin it
Creamy Chicken Florentine | mamamiakitchen.com

This Chicken Florentine has become my go-to for both family dinners and entertaining. It proves that a few quality ingredients, treated with care, can create something truly spectacular.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes! Boneless thighs work great here. They're naturally more tender but might need an extra minute or two of cooking time.
→ What can I substitute for the white wine?
Chicken broth works perfectly as a non-alcoholic alternative. You'll get a delicious sauce either way.
→ Can I use frozen spinach?
Yes - use 10 oz frozen spinach, just thaw and squeeze out all the excess water before adding it to the sauce.
→ Why do I need to pound the chicken?
Pounding the chicken to even thickness helps it cook evenly and quickly, preventing dry, overcooked spots.
→ What sides go best with this dish?
Pasta, rice, or crusty bread are perfect for soaking up the sauce. Add a simple green salad to complete the meal.

Creamy Spinach Chicken Florentine

Golden seared chicken in a creamy garlic spinach sauce. This Italian classic is perfect for both weeknights and special occasions.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes
By: Sou

Category: Chicken

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ For the Chicken

01 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
02 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 2 tablespoons butter

→ For the Dredging Mix

04 ½ cup all-purpose flour
05 ¼ cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
06 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
07 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 1 teaspoon salt
09 ½ teaspoon black pepper

→ For the Creamy Sauce

10 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
11 1½ cups white wine (or chicken broth)
12 1 cup half and half
13 ⅓ cup cream cheese, softened
14 3 cups fresh spinach
15 Juice of ½ fresh lemon (about 1½ tablespoons)
16 Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Step 01

Cover each chicken breast with plastic wrap and pound to ½-inch thickness. This helps them cook evenly. Pat them dry with paper towels and let them come to room temperature.

Step 02

Mix together flour, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Coat each chicken breast in this mixture, making sure to shake off any excess.

Step 03

Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Cover the pan while cooking. Once done (internal temp 165°F), set chicken aside on a plate.

Step 04

Reduce heat to medium and cook minced garlic for 1 minute. Add wine or broth and scrape up all those flavorful brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it bubble and reduce by half, about 5 minutes.

Step 05

Warm the half and half in the microwave for 40 seconds, then add it to the pan gradually, stirring as you go. Once it starts to bubble, lower the heat. Stir in softened cream cheese until smooth.

Step 06

Add spinach and cook until wilted. Stir in lemon juice if using. Return chicken and any juices to the pan, cover until heated through. Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  1. You can use frozen spinach (10 oz) - just thaw and squeeze out the excess water first
  2. The cream cheese adds thickness but can be skipped if preferred
  3. Try adding mushrooms, capers, or cherry tomatoes for variety

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet with lid
  • Meat mallet or tenderizer
  • Plastic wrap
  • Shallow dish for dredging

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (butter, cream cheese, Parmesan)
  • Contains gluten (flour)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 456
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~