Creamy Tuscan-Style Chicken with Vegetables!

🍗 Creamy Tuscan-Style Chicken with Vegetables

Serves

4

Time

• Prep: 15 minutes

• Cook: 30 minutes

🥩 Ingredients

Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)

• Salt & black pepper, to taste

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• 2 tbsp olive oil

Vegetables

• 1 medium zucchini, sliced

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced

• 1 small onion, sliced (optional)

Creamy Sauce

• 2 tbsp butter

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 cup chicken broth

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• ½ tsp paprika (smoked if you like)

• ½ tsp dried basil or thyme

• Salt & pepper, to taste

For Serving

• Cooked white rice, jasmine rice, or mashed potatoes

• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped

🔥 Instructions

1. Season & sear chicken

1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.

2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

3. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden.

4. Remove chicken and set aside (it will finish cooking later).

2. Cook vegetables

• In the same skillet, add zucchini, bell pepper, and onion.

• Sauté 4–5 minutes until just tender.

• Remove vegetables and set aside with chicken.

3. Make the creamy sauce

1. Reduce heat to medium.

2. Add butter and garlic; cook 30 seconds.

3. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits.

4. Stir in cream, paprika, basil, salt, and pepper.

5. Simmer 5 minutes until slightly thickened.

6. Stir in Parmesan until smooth.

4. Combine & finish

• Return chicken and vegetables to skillet.

• Spoon sauce over chicken.

• Simmer uncovered 8–10 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).

5. Serve

• Spoon over rice or potatoes

• Garnish with fresh herbs

• Extra sauce encouraged 😏

❓ Q & A

Q: Can I use chicken thighs?

Absolutely!

• Juicier and more forgiving

• Same cooking time

Q: Can I make it lighter?

Yes:

• Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream

• Reduce Parmesan by half

• Add extra broth if needed

Q: Why is my sauce too thin?

• Simmer longer uncovered

• Add more Parmesan

• Mix 1 tsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water and stir in

Q: Can I add more veggies?

Definitely:

• Mushrooms

• Spinach (stir in at the end)

• Cherry tomatoes

Q: Can I make this ahead?

Yes!

• Store in fridge up to 3 days

• Reheat gently over low heat

Q: Can I freeze it?

Not ideal ❌
Cream sauces can separate. Best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.

Q: What pairs best with this?

• Jasmine or basmati rice

• Garlic bread

• Steamed green beans or asparagus