Chicken Florentine

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Chicken Florentine is made with pan fried chicken in a decadent creamy sauce with spinach and mushrooms. A great special occasion meal.

If you’re looking for something that is both decadent and easy to make, look no further than this Chicken Florentine recipe. It is made in one pan so cleaning is limited. There is no marinating required and the sauce comes together in a flash.

Despite the name “Florentine”, Chicken Florentine actually originated in France that was credited to Catherine de Medici after she married the French King. It generally is used to describe dishes that are made with spinach like this one. Now though inspired by traditional French techniques the dish has evolved over the years to what it is today as an Italian-American style dish.

But whatever the history, it is delicious, decadent and sure to be a favorite. Let’s talk about what you’ll need to make it.

Chicken Florentine Ingredients:

• CHICKEN BREASTS: If you have access to chicken cutlets, you can use those. But it is also easy to use chicken breasts and cut through horizontally so that you have two thin halves.
• FLOUR: To coat the chicken breast before frying.
• SALT/PEPPER/GRANULATED GARLIC: To season the flour.
• OLIVE OIL/BUTTER: To saute the chicken in and add richness to the sauce.
• MUSHROOMS: Mushrooms aren’t always traditional in chicken florentine but I had some on hand so thought I would add them. You can omit them if you’re not a mushroom fan.
• SPINACH: Spinach is classic in chicken florentine. It might look like a lot when you add it but it will wilt in the sauce.
• GARLIC/SHALLOTS: Aromatics to add subtle onion and garlic flavor to the sauce.
• WHITE WINE: Helps to deglaze the pan as well as add wonderful flavor to the sauce. If you don’t want to use wine, you can also substitute chicken broth.
• CHICKEN BROTH: I use low-sodium chicken broth so that I can control the saltiness of the final dish.
• HEAVY CREAM: This is what is going to give this recipe the rich, decadent flavor that you’re used to with chicken florentine. Don’t use milk or half & half because you won’t get the same luscious result.
• PARMESAN CHEESE: Adds cheesy, umami flavor to the sauce.

Step by Step Photos and Instructions:

Making chicken florentine is not that difficult and can all be made in one pot. Follow along with these step by step photos and instructions to guide you every step of the way.

• STEP #1: Dredge chicken in seasoned flour. Shake off any excess.
• STEP #2: Heat olive oil in the pan fry the chicken in batches, until they are golden brown on both sides but not cooked through completely (they will finish cooking in the sauce). Transfer to a plate and repeat until all chicken is browned.
• STEP #3: In the same skillet, melt butter and saute mushrooms and shallots until the mushrooms start to brown and the shallots have softened. About 5 minutes. Add in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds more.
• STEP #4: Pour in white wine and use a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits that have stuck to the bottom of the pan, that is where all the flavor is. Add in the chicken broth. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat.
• STEP #5: Slowly whisk in heavy cream. Make sure the heavy cream is at room temperature so that when you add it to the pan, it doesn’t curdle. Whisk in Parmesan cheese and cook until it melts.
• STEP #6: Add in the spinach and cook until wilted. Return chicken to the pan and cook until chicken is cooked through (165 degrees F on a meat thermometer).

Storage and Leftovers:

If you have any leftovers store them in covered in the refrigerator and use within a few days. You can reheat by simmering covered over low heat until warmed through.

My favorite way to serve this Chicken Florentine is with creamy homemade mashed potatoes and a simple salad. It would also be great with noodles or rice.

Looking for more recipes using chicken breasts? Try these!

Master the art of poached chicken breast. This easy recipe offers a flavorful base for salads, tacos, and more!

Cajun Chicken Sandwiches make the perfect lunch or dinner! Juicy, spicy chicken breasts topped with creamy coleslaw and crisp onions. 

Crispy, tender and full of flavor, Fried Chicken Cutlets will be a hit with the whole family. These thinly sliced chicken breasts are breaded and fried to perfection.