Creamy Italian Chicken

Background: This Creamy Italian Chicken recipe is loaded with flavor! The sun dried tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil are the ultimate combo. Not only will your kitchen smell amazing, the taste will make you feel like you’re dining out at a fine Italian restaurant. Don’t let the simplicity of this recipe fool you; it is a real stunner. Serve over pasta or alongside fresh veggies or mashed potatoes.

• 4-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• paprika
• onion powder
• fresh cracked black pepper
• jar of sun dried tomatoes in oil, julienne cut – 7 oz. or larger
• 4-5 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
• 2 ½ cups heavy cream
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• ½ cup fresh parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup fresh chopped basil

1. Season chicken with paprika and onion powder.
2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees and prep a cookie sheet with a cooling rack resting on top. Tip: Cover the cookie sheet with foil before resting cooling rack on top to decrease your clean up time later.
3. In a large cast iron skillet over medium heat, add 3 tablespoons sun dried tomato oil from jar and heat for one minute.
4. Sear chicken in skillet for 5-6 minutes per side, then place on rack/cookie sheet and cook through in the oven/until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
5. While chicken is cooking, add an additional 1-2 tablespoons of the sun dried tomato oil into the skillet. Using a hand grater, grate in your fresh garlic and let render for 1 minute. You can also use a garlic press. Add the sun dried tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes.
6. Reduce heat to low and mix in Dijon mustard. Add cream and bring to a gentle simmer while constantly stirring.
7. Add in your parmesan cheese and stir until combined or melted.
8. Add spinach and stir as it wilts in the sauce. Add in basil and stir until combined.
9. When chicken is done cooking in the oven, add into the skillet. Top with fresh cracked pepper and serve.

Make yourself an Italian Gentlemen to go along with this delicious meal!