Chicken Florentine

4.8
(12)

Chicken Florentine, with perfectly-seared boneless chicken breasts in a creamy white wine and spinach sauce, is a complete, one-skillet dinner, easy enough for a weeknight, fancy enough for a date night.

Chicken Florentine
4
4
4
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
4

This chicken Florentine recipe “tastes like a special occasion dish (because of loads of cream and cheese) or therapy in food form,” according to recipe developer Renu Dhar.

What Is Chicken Florentine? 

A Florentine dish typically consists of a protein, spinach, and a Mornay sauce (a béchamel sauce with cheese). The dish allegedly dates back to the 1500s and it’s often attributed to French Queen Catherine de Medici, who was apparently partial to foods that reminded her of her native Florence. 

How to Make Chicken Florentine

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade chicken Florentine: 

  1. Toss the chicken in flour, then set aside. 
  2. Cook the chicken in butter until brown and cooked through. 
  3. Make the Mornay sauce, then stir in the spinach and cook until wilted.
  4. Return chicken to skillet and cook until the chicken is heated through. 
  5. Remove from the heat and add basil and Parmesan.

What to Serve With Chicken Florentine

“Serve with mashed potatoes,” recommends recipe taster Liz Mervosh. “It is indulgent and delightful. It can also be served over pasta or on its own with crusty bread.”

For more inspiration, explore our collection of best side dishes for chicken

Test Kitchen Tips

This chicken Florentine recipe was developed in our test kitchen by Renu Dhar and tested by Melissa Gray. Here are some tips and tricks from the experts: 

  • The recipe is quick and easy as-is, but buying chicken breast cutlets will shorten the prep even further. 
  • Make the sauce with finely chopped shallots and add Gruyère cheese instead of Parmesan.

How to Store Chicken Florentine

  • To store: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Bring to room temperature before heating in a skillet over low. 
  • To freeze: Freeze in a freezer safe container for up to one month. Thaw completely before reheating.

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided

  • 2 (10-oz. each) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half horizontally 

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1/2 cup dry white wine

  • 3/4 cup chicken stock

  • 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme

  • 1/8 teaspoon dried marjoram

  • 1 (5-oz.) package fresh baby spinach (about 4 cups packed)

  • 1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh basil

  • 1 ounce Parmesan cheese, finely shredded (about 1/4 cup)

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    all ingredients to make Chicken Florentine gathered on a kitchen counter.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Stir together flour and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt in a medium bowl. Add chicken cutlets, one at a time, and toss to coat evenly with flour. Shake off excess flour, and set aside on a plate.

    chicken being dredged in flour.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add butter and oil; cook, swirling occasionally, until butter is frothy, about 30 seconds. Add chicken in an even layer; cook, turning once halfway through, until browned and a thermometer inserted into thickest portion of breast registers 165°F, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack.

    chicken browned in a skillet.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Add wine to skillet; cook over high, stirring occasionally and scraping bottom to release brown bits, until reduced by half, about 1 minute. Stir in stock, cream, black pepper, garlic, oregano, thyme,  marjoram, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-high; cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 4 minutes.

    wine, chicken stock, cream, and seasonings added to skillet.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Stir in spinach; cook, stirring often, until spinach is wilted, about 1 minute.

    spinach added to cream sauce

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Return chicken to skillet. Cook over medium-high, turning chicken once, until chicken is heated through, about 1 minute.  Remove from heat; add basil and Parmesan, swirling to combine.

    chicken, basil, and parmesan added to cream sauce.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

571 Calories
33g Fat
12g Carbs
50g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 571
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 33g 42%
Saturated Fat 17g 85%
Cholesterol 193mg 64%
Sodium 556mg 24%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 50g 100%
Vitamin C 9mg 10%
Calcium 150mg 12%
Iron 3mg 18%
Potassium 681mg 14%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.