Creamy garlic chicken with sundried tomatoes & spinach

ChickenItalian
Written By Bea Fawkes

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Creamy & hearty comfort food. Juicy chicken thighs are smothered in a rich creamy sauce, flavoured with garlic, sundried tomatoes and spinach. This is a tasty meal that is quick to prepare and will satisfy the whole family.

This is one of those recipes that is almost guaranteed to be on high rotation for weeknight dinners. It's a recipe that won't break the bank while not sacrificing flavour.

I like to fry the aromats (garlic & shallots) with the sundried tomatoes which really releases the sweet tomato flavour and gives them a chewier texture. All about maximising flavour here!

Whole chicken thighs are then simmered in the velvety creamy sauce which keeps them beautiful and moist. A touch of dijon mustard and chili flakes are also little flavour powerhouses than make the sauce so tasty.

I like to serve this with crusty sourdough bread. It mops up all the tasty sauce once you’ve finished the chicken. This recipe is also great for leftovers as it freezes well and the whole thighs make it easy for portioning.

What's in this recipe?

Creamy garlic chicken with sundried tomatoes & spinach

  • Chicken thighs

    I prefer chicken thigh over breast as it's juicier and gives the sauce more flavour. Feel free to use chicken breast although you'll have to watch the temperature more carefully with a thermometer to ensure they dont dry out. Chicken drumsticks could also be used but you might have to increase the cooking time depending on how big they are.

  • Sundried tomatoes

    I prefer to use sundried tomatoes in oil. They are packaged with herbs and spices which instantly gives the dish more flavour!

  • Cream

    Any cream can be used here. I prefer to use heavy/thickened cream for a hearty meal or lite cream for a lighter weeknight meal. Pouring/whipping cream can also be used.

  • Oregano & thyme

    These dried herbs herbs are used to give the dish its fragrant Italian flavour. Fresh parsley also works well sprinkled over the dish at the end.

  • Garlic & dijon mustard

    Because garlic is almost always needed! Fresh garlic gives this dish a beautiful sharpness and depth of flavour. Do not use jarred crush garlic - its sweet and will overpower the dish. Dijon mistard just gives the sauce a little tang and gives it dimension.

  • Chili flakes

    A few chili flakes go a long way in giving this sauce a flavour boost and make it so moreish! They dont make the sauce spicy, just a touch of heat to lighten the heavy sauce. Feel free to leave out if you're sensitive to chili.

  • White wine & chicken stock

    Chicken stock gives the sauce depth and saltiness. White wine is reduced which burns out the alcohol but gives the sauce sweetness and complexity. Feel free to substitute with more chicken stock if desired.

  • Shallots

    These small onions are sweeter and more delicate in flavour then regular onions. They give the sauce body and earthiness whilst not being too overpowering. Can be substituted with red onion.

  • Spinach

    I love wilted spinach. It carries the sauce so well and rounds out the dish to a complete meal. Can be left out if desired.

Step-by-step photos

Creamy chicken with sundried tomatoes & spinach

Creamy chicken with sundried tomatoes & spinach

Yield 4
Author
Prep time
15 Min
Cook time
20 Min
Total time
35 Min
Creamy & hearty comfort food. Juicy chicken thighs are cooked in a rich creamy sauce, flavoured with garlic, sundried tomatoes and spinach. This is a tasty meal that is quick to prepare and will satisfy the whole family.
Cook modePrevent screen from turning off

Ingredients

Creamy chicken with sundried tomatoes & spinach
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp chili flakes
  • 500g chicken thighs
  • Salt & pepper
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves of garlic (crushed)
  • 2 shallots (finely diced)
  • 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes (sliced)
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 3/4 cup chicken stock
  • 3/4 cup thickened cream (or pouring cream)
  • 2 tsp dijon mustard
  • 2 cups spinach
  • 1/4 cup parmesan (grated)
  • Fresh basil

Instructions

Creamy chicken with sundried tomatoes & spinach
  1. Combine oregano, thyme and chili flakes in a medium bowl. Add chicken and stir to coat evenly. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add chicken thighs and sear for 2 minutes on each side until golden - chicken will continue cooking through later. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  3. Turn heat down to medium and add more oil if the pan is looking too dry. Add garlic, shallots and tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes or until onion is translucent. Add white wine and stir for 1 minute.
  4. Add stock, cream and mustard and bring to a simmer. Add chicken thighs back to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and sauce is reduced. Add spinach and stir through the sauce until wilted. Remove pan from heat.
  5. Top with grated parmesan and fresh basil. Serve with crusty bread. Enjoy!

Notes

Serving suggestion

Serve with crusty bread for a hearty meal - the bread is delicious for mopping up all the excess sauce. I like also serving this with lightly steamed broccoli to bump up the veg.

Storing

Best eaten fresh although leftovers will also keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

596

Fat

47 g

Sat. Fat

18 g

Carbs

16 g

Fiber

3 g

Net carbs

13 g

Sugar

9 g

Protein

28 g

Sodium

382 mg

Cholesterol

179 mg
Bea Fawkes
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