Creamy Tuscan Chicken Rice Skillet (Printable version)

Comforting one-pan meal with tender chicken in creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and fluffy rice.

# Needed ingredients:

→ Chicken

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 tsp salt
03 - ½ tsp black pepper
04 - 1 tsp Italian seasoning
05 - 1 tbsp olive oil

→ Rice & Broth

06 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
07 - 2½ cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Vegetables

08 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
09 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
10 - ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and sliced
11 - 2 cups fresh baby spinach

→ Sauce

12 - 1 cup heavy cream
13 - ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter

→ Garnish

15 - Fresh basil leaves, torn
16 - Additional Parmesan cheese for serving

# How to make it:

01 - Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add butter. Sauté the onion for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and rice. Cook for 1 minute to lightly toast the rice.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes until rice is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
06 - Return cooked chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Simmer uncovered for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens.
07 - Add baby spinach and cook until wilted, approximately 1 minute. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
08 - Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • One skillet means one cleanup, and honestly, that alone makes weeknight cooking feel like a win.
  • The cream sauce arrives naturally as the rice cooks, turning a simple dinner into something that feels restaurant-quality without the fuss.
  • It's adaptable enough to work with what you have on hand, yet elegant enough to serve when someone important is coming over.
02 -
  • Don't peek constantly at the rice while it's simmering; each time you lift the lid, you release steam and throw off the cooking time.
  • If your cream sauce seems too thin after adding the dairy, simmer it a bit longer—the rice will continue to release some starch that helps thicken it.
  • Freshly grated Parmesan makes a noticeable difference because it melts into the sauce rather than clumping.
03 -
  • Rinsing the rice before cooking prevents stickiness and gives you that fluffy, separated grain texture that makes the dish feel less heavy.
  • If you prefer a spicier version, a small pinch of red pepper flakes added with the garlic brings warmth without changing the character of the dish.
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