Creamy Chicken Florentine with Spinach and Parmesan

This Chicken Florentine is a lighter take on the classic: pan-seared chicken with cherry tomatoes and baby spinach in a creamy, yet lighter, sauce.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This easy, flavorful Creamy Chicken Florentine is ready in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner but elegant enough for date night. The recipe keeps the classic spinach-and-protein pairing while lightening the sauce by using lower-fat cream cheese (neufchâtel) and low-sodium chicken broth instead of butter and heavy cream.

Fresh produce plays a starring role: tender baby spinach and sweet cherry tomatoes add color, texture, and brightness. The balance of savory, creamy, and fresh makes this dish a repeat in any dinner rotation.

Ingredients

• Chicken breast: Boneless, skinless, halved lengthwise (or use cutlets or tenderloins).
• Seasoning: Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and fine sea salt.
• Flour: All-purpose flour to dredge the chicken and to make a light roux for the sauce.
• Orzo: Uncooked orzo (or your preferred pasta).
• Shallot & garlic: Diced shallot (or yellow onion) and minced garlic for flavor.
• Chicken broth: Low-sodium broth forms the base of the sauce.
• Cream cheese: 1/3 less fat cream cheese (neufchâtel) keeps the sauce creamy with less fat.
• Cherry tomatoes: Quartered for sweetness and color (grape or diced Roma work too).
• Spinach: Fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped.
• Parmesan: Freshly grated, optional for serving.
• Salt & pepper: To taste.

Full ingredient amounts are listed in the recipe card below.

How to Make Creamy Chicken Florentine

1. Even the chicken by pounding the cutlets to about 1/2-inch thickness. Season both sides with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of flour over the chicken and rub it in, then shake off excess.
2. Cook the orzo according to package directions. Drain and toss with a touch of olive oil to prevent sticking.
3. In a large non-stick skillet over medium-low heat, warm 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook the chicken 4–5 minutes per side, until done. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

4. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Sauté the diced shallot and minced garlic 2–3 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons flour and stir to combine. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth until smooth.
5. Stir in the cream cheese until the sauce is creamy. Add the quartered cherry tomatoes and chopped spinach; simmer until the spinach wilts. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
6. Return the chicken to the pan and spoon sauce over the pieces. Serve the chicken and sauce over the cooked orzo and finish with grated Parmesan if desired.

Expert tip: Whisk or stir in the chicken broth slowly so the flour incorporates completely for a smooth, lump-free sauce.

Variations

• Change the seasoning: Swap Italian seasoning for herbs de Provence, basil, oregano, thyme, or parsley.
• Swap the starch: Use a different pasta shape, rice, quinoa, or roasted or mashed potatoes instead of orzo.
• Add mix-ins: Jarred artichokes or sun-dried tomatoes work well in place of fresh cherry tomatoes—drain before adding.
• Try other proteins: Salmon or thin pork chops can be used—adjust cooking time accordingly.

Serving Suggestions

This creamy chicken and orzo is simple enough for a weeknight and polished enough for guests. It reheats well, making it suitable for meal prep. Serve with a fresh side salad, garlic toast, or dinner rolls to round out the meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Make ahead: The dish reheats nicely, so you can prepare it in advance for meal prep.

Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days. Store the pasta separately to prevent it from absorbing the sauce.

To reheat: Add a splash of broth if needed and warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, covered, stirring occasionally. The microwave also works for quick reheating.

To freeze: Freezing is not recommended—the creamy sauce may separate after thawing.

More Chicken Recipes

• Chicken Basil Tomato Pasta
• Honey Garlic Lemon Chicken
• Baked Cornflake Chicken Tenders
• Homemade Baked Chicken Nuggets

If you try this recipe, please come back and leave a rating or comment — I’d love to hear how it turned out.