This easy, stove top Tuscan Garlic Chicken features lightly seasoned chicken, with a spinach, red pepper, garlic and Parmesan cheese sauce, on fettuccine pasta.
Category:
Entree
Cuisine:
Italian
Keyword:
Tuscan garlic chicken
Servings: 4
Calories Per Serving: 540kcal
Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Ingredients
2large chicken breasts
2Tablespoonsolive oil
For the chicken coating:
1/2cupall-purpose flour
1teaspoonsalt
1/2teaspoonpepper
1/4teaspoondried basil
1/4teaspoondried oregano
1/4teaspoononion powder
1/4teaspoongarlic powder
For the sauce:
1/2large red bell pepper, diced
1Tablespoonminced garlic
1 1/2Tablespoonsolive oil
1/2cupchicken broth
1/2Tablespoonflour
3/4cupmilk
1 1/4teaspooncorn starch
1/4teaspoongarlic powder
salt & pepper, to taste
1/2small box frozen chopped spinach(cooked according to pkg. & drained well) You can also substitute 2 cups of chopped fresh baby spinach, if desired)
1/2cupshredded Parmesan cheese(I used the real stuff!)
For the pasta:
1/2lb.fettuccine noodles, cooked according to pkg. directions)
* Note: I'm sure any pasta would work great...the fettuccine noodles were fantastic though; they really handled the sauce well!)
Cut the chicken breasts in half. Place each piece between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet until much thinner (think of this as good therapy...pound, pound, pound!). You can also cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally, if desired. I pounded away!
On a large plate, mix together the chicken coating ingredients (flour, salt, pepper, basil, oregano, onion powder and garlic powder). Dredge the chicken in the mixture, coating both sides.
Heat 2 TBSP olive oil in a non-stick skillet on medium high. When the oil is really HOT, add the chicken. Brown the chicken on both sides (approx. 1-2 minutes per side-till golden brown), then remove chicken from skillet and place in a baking dish and bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes (or until fully cooked). Keep chicken warm.
While the chicken is in the oven, whip up the sauce. (Easy so far, right?)
To make the sauce, start by sauteing the diced red peppers in just a touch of olive oil for about 5 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and saute for another minute or two (being careful NOT to burn the garlic!). Once done, remove from skillet to a small plate and set aside.
Add the 1 1/2 TBSP olive oil to the warm skillet. Add in the flour and whisk into the oil to blend. Add the chicken broth to this mixture and whisk until smooth. Slowly bring this sauce to a boil.
In a small bowl, combine the milk and the cornstarch until dissolved. Add this to the boiling sauce, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
Stir in the cooked, well-drained spinach (or 2 cups fresh chopped baby spinach), the peppers and garlic mixture, the Parmesan cheese and garlic powder. Season with a touch of salt and pepper (to taste).
Simmer the sauce until it thickens, stirring occasionally. If sauce is too thick, you can always add in several tablespoons of the starchy hot pasta water. (I added 3-4 TBSP of pasta water)
Place fettuccine noodles on plates, top with the sauce and then place the chicken on top. Garnish with a bit of fresh, chopped basil (optional) and some additional shredded Parmesan cheese. ENJOY!
Nutrition Facts
Tuscan Garlic Chicken
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 540Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Fat 20g31%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Cholesterol 97mg32%
Sodium 1000mg43%
Potassium 584mg17%
Carbohydrates 59g20%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 28g56%
Vitamin A 2120IU42%
Vitamin C 26.6mg32%
Calcium 235mg24%
Iron 2.8mg16%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.