Step 1: Prepare the chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
Season both sides with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
If the breasts are very thick, gently pound them to an even thickness so they cook more evenly.
Step 2: Cook the bacon
Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
Add the chopped bacon and cook for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crispy.
Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet.
Step 3: Sear the chicken
Add the olive oil to the skillet.
Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the hot skillet and cook for approximately 4–5 minutes per side, or until nicely golden.
Transfer the chicken to a plate. It doesn’t need to be completely cooked through yet because it will finish cooking in the sauce.
Step 4: Cook the mushrooms
Add the butter to the same skillet.
Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and tender.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 5: Make the creamy sauce
Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Add the heavy cream, Italian seasoning, paprika, and black pepper.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
Step 6: Add the Parmesan
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the grated Parmesan.
Continue stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
If the sauce becomes too thick, add a small splash of chicken broth.
Step 7: Add the spinach
Add the fresh spinach to the sauce.
Cook for approximately 2–3 minutes, stirring gently, until the spinach wilts.
Step 8: Return the chicken
Place the chicken breasts back into the skillet.
Spoon the creamy mushroom and spinach sauce over the chicken.
Cover loosely and simmer over low heat for about 5–8 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part.
Step 9: Add the bacon
Sprinkle the crispy bacon over the chicken and creamy sauce.
Finish with freshly chopped parsley and a little extra Parmesan if desired.
Step 10: Serve
Serve the creamy Tuscan chicken immediately with:
- Pasta
- Mashed potatoes
- Rice
- Roasted potatoes
- Steamed vegetables
- Crusty garlic bread
The creamy mushroom sauce is especially good spooned over pasta or mashed potatoes.
Tip: Don’t boil the cream sauce aggressively after adding the Parmesan. Keeping it at a gentle simmer helps maintain a smooth, creamy texture.
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