Creamy Chicken Florentine

Creamy Chicken Florentine

4 servings
This quick weeknight dinner is a complete meal in one skillet—chicken, spinach, mushrooms, and the creamiest, tastiest sauce.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
    divided, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
    divided, plus more to taste
  • 4 chicken cutlets

    1 to 1 1/2 pounds total

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

    divided

  • 2 medium shallots

    chopped

  • 8 ounces cremini mushrooms

    trimmed and sliced, about 3 cups

  • 3 cloves garlic

    minced

  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 ounce finely grated Parmesan cheese

    about 1/2 cup

  • 12 ounces fresh baby spinach

Directions

  1. 1

    Dredge the chicken: In a shallow bowl, add the flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Mix well with a fork or a spoon. Lay a chicken cutlet on top of the flour. Sprinkle some of the flour mixture on top and press with your hands to coat. Flip the chicken to evenly coat both sides, sprinkling flour over any bare spots and shaking off the excess. Transfer it onto a large plate and repeat with the remaining cutlets. Discard any leftover flour.

  2. 2

    Cook the chicken: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Tilt the skillet to evenly coat it with oil. The oil should shimmer, but not smoke. Add the dredged chicken cutlets in a single layer. Let them cook, without moving, until the bottoms are golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Use tongs to flip the cutlets and cook the other side is lightly browned and the chicken is cooked through, 2 to 4 minutes. If your skillet isn’t big enough, you can cook the chicken in 2 batches. Transfer the chicken onto a clean plate and tent it with foil. Set it aside while you make the sauce, which will be made in the same skillet.

  3. 3

    Cook the vegetables: Turn the heat down to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the shallots and sauté until they begin to turn translucent, about 1 minute. Add the mushrooms and garlic, and season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Sauté until tender, 2 to 3 minutes.

  4. 4

    Make the sauce: Add the white wine and scrape the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon, loosening any browned bits. Bring the wine to a simmer and cook until the alcohol smell dissipates, about 1 minute. Stir in the heavy cream. Bring it to a gentle simmer. Add the spinach in 2 or 3 batches, stirring after each addition until all the leaves are wilted and incorporated into the sauce. Stir in the Parmesan until it is completely melted.

  5. 5

    Assemble the dish: Nestle the chicken cutlets in the sauce and let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to reheat. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with more salt and black pepper, if needed. Serve! Leftovers keeps well since it has a moist sauce. Refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of heavy cream if it feels dry.  I don’t recommend freezing this dish since the texture of the sauce gets wonky. Cream sauces have a tendency to split when frozen, thawed, and reheated. Did you love the recipe? Leave us a review in the comments! 

Creamy Chicken Florentine

Creamy Chicken Florentine

4.5(16)30 min4 servings

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About this Recipe

Craving a restaurant-quality meal that's both comforting and quick enough for any weeknight? This Creamy Chicken Florentine delivers on all fronts, bringing elegant flavors to your table with minimal fuss.

Why This Recipe Works

What sets this recipe apart is its brilliant one-skillet design, transforming simple ingredients into a rich, complete meal. By building layers of flavor—sautéing shallots and mushrooms before deglazing with white wine and finishing with cream and Parmesan—you create a deeply satisfying sauce that coats tender chicken, vibrant spinach, and earthy mushrooms. It's the kind of dish that tastes far more complex than its straightforward preparation suggests.

What to Expect

You'll find yourself enjoying succulent chicken cutlets enveloped in a luscious, savory sauce. The heavy cream and Parmesan create an incredibly smooth and rich texture, balanced beautifully by the fresh, slightly bitter notes of wilted baby spinach and the earthy depth of cremini mushrooms. Every bite offers a harmonious blend of textures and flavors, making for a truly indulgent yet perfectly balanced meal that feels special without being overly heavy.

Customization & Variations

This versatile Creamy Chicken Florentine is easy to adapt to your pantry or preferences. For a different protein, consider using pork tenderloin medallions or firm tofu. If cremini mushrooms aren't available, white button mushrooms work just as well. You could also stir in sun-dried tomatoes along with the spinach for an extra layer of sweetness and tang, or swap Parmesan for Pecorino Romano if you prefer a sharper, saltier cheese.

Serving & Context

This one-skillet wonder is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, providing a complete meal on its own. It pairs beautifully with a crusty baguette to sop up every last drop of the creamy sauce, or alongside a light green salad for an added fresh element.

Frequently Asked Questions