Chicken Florentine 

Chicken Florentine is a comforting Italian inspired dish that combines tender, seared chicken with a rich, creamy spinach sauce. Originating from Florence, Italy, this recipe offers an elegant yet simple meal suitable for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. With a preparation and cooking time of just 30 minutes, it's a quick and satisfying option for any night of the week.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 cup chicken broth

• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half

• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 4 cups fresh spinach (or 2 cups frozen, thawed and drained)

 Directions

1. Season the Chicken: Sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.

2. Sear the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4–5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

3. Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the chicken broth and let it simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.

4. Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce is smooth and creamy.

5. Incorporate Spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2–3 minutes.

6. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the seared chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

 Nutritional Information (per serving)

• Calories: Approximately 400–450 kcal

• Protein: About 40g

• Fat: 25g

• Carbohydrates: 5–7g

• Fiber: 2g

• Sodium: Varies based on added salt and broth