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Try this delicious recipe for Chicken Florentine, a classic French dish featuring tender chicken and flavorful spinach in a creamy sauce. Perfect for a cozy dinner at home.
Our middle daughter was the funniest little eater as a young girl. She wouldn’t touch mashed potatoes, but she loved spinach. She wouldn’t eat pepperoni, but she would eat prosciutto. She wouldn’t even look at spaghetti, but she would eat Chicken Florentine.
Don’t get me wrong here, I am NOT complaining that she had a more mature palate (especially since she was so picky and only wanted cereal or “dillas”), but seriously, I never knew what she is going to like. This recipe was one thing she would gobble up, and that is really saying something!
Ingredients for Chicken Florentine
Who would have every thought that a lightly breaded, pan-seared chicken breasts covered in a creamy herb sauce with a hint of lemon would be a dinner she would devour?! This chicken florentine recipe is totally fabulous. Here is what you will need:
- Chicken Breasts: butterflied to make 4 thinner chicken pieces
- Flour: just regular all purpose flour is all you need
- Smoked Paprika: adds flavor to the light breading for the chicken
- Garlic Herb Seasoning: adds flavor to the chicken
- Olive Oil: helps sear the chicken breasts
- Butter: adds flavor and richness
- Garlic: adds flavor to the sauce
- White Wine: use a dry white wine
- Chicken Broth: adds flavor and acts as the base of the sauce
- Heavy Cream: adds richness
- Lemon: adds a bright pop of flavor and acidity
- Kosher Salt: adds flavor
- Black Pepper: adds flavor
- Parmesan: acts as a garnish to the dish
- Baby Spinach: adds flavor, color, texture and nutrients to the sauce
The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post. Keep scrolling for all details!
How to Make Chicken Florentine
Here are the basic steps for making this easy chicken dinner:
- Cut: Butterfly the two chicken breasts to create 4 pieces.
- Whisk: Add the flour and seasonings to the plan and whisk everything together. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture on all sides.
- Sear: In a cast iron skillet over the medium-high heat, add some olive oil and butter and when shimmering, add the chicken. Reduce the heat to medium and sear each side for a few minutes until golden on each side. Remove the chicken to a plate.
- Sauté: Add the remaining butter to the skillet and sauté the garlic and then add the rest of the garlic herb seasoning.
- Simmer: Now we are going to make the cream sauce. Add the white wine and chicken broth and simmer until reduced by half.
- Stir: Add the heavy cream and simmer then add a squeeze of lemon juice and stir everything together.
- Thicken: Add the chicken back to the pan and the spinach and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Garnish: Sprinkle with a little parmesan cheese and serve!
The complete recipe with all the measurements and complete instructions can be found in the recipe card down below.
What Does Florentine Consist of?
Typically a dish that is florentine has a protein served on top of a bed of spinach with a creamy sauce over the top.
What to Eat with Chicken Florentine?
Chicken Florentine goes great with a side of delicious bread like french bread or our no knead artisan bread to sop up that bright sauce.
You can also do a side dish of a yummy vegetable like the grilled asparagus pictured here or a delicious side salad like our strawberry feta spinach salad.
Additions and Substitutions
Some people like to serve creamy chicken florentine over rice or pasta which is definitely an option. It would also be really delicious over mashed potatoes!
You could also make some additions to the sauce like diced tomatoes, sauteed mushrooms or peas.
If you don’t cook with alcohol, just replace it with extra chicken broth.
Storing and Reheating
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and it will keep for up to 4-5 days. I don’t recommend freezing this recipe.
I usually use the microwave to reheat leftovers, but it could also be reheated on the stove top in a large skillet if you are warming up more than one serving.
Do you have a picky eater? Test this chicken florentine recipe, and see if your picky eater love it as much as my daughter does! It’s kid-friendly, budget-friendly and totally craveable! It makes the perfect quick weeknight meal!
More Delicious Chicken Dinner Recipes:
- Bourbon Chicken
- Chicken Parm
- Cashew Chicken
- Chicken with Oregano
- Easy Teriyaki Chicken
- Chicken Stir Fry
- Garlic Butter Chicken
- Cornflake Ranch Chicken
- All our CHICKEN RECIPES!
How to Make Chicken Florentine Video
Chicken Florentine
Ingredients
- 2 Chicken Breasts, butterflied to make 4 pieces
- 1/3 Cup Flour
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 2 1/2 teaspoons Garlic Herb Seasoning, divided
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 3 Tablespoons Butter
- 3 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Herb Seasoning, like Johnny's Garlic Spread or Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 Cup White Wine, or cooking white wine
- 1/4 Cup Chicken Broth
- 1 Cup Heavy Cream
- 1 Squeeze of Lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
- 1/2 Cup Parmesan, grated
- 2 Cups Baby Spinach
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts through the center to butterfly and create 4 pieces.2 Chicken Breasts
- In a pan, whisk the flour and seasonings together. For the garlic herb seasoning, use 2 teaspoons. Dredge the chicken in flour on all sides.1/3 Cup Flour, 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika, 2 1/2 teaspoons Garlic Herb Seasoning
- In a cast iron skillet over medium high heat, add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter.1 Tablespoon Olive Oil, 3 Tablespoons Butter
- Add the chicken and turn to medium heat. Cook for about 3 minutes per side, or until browning. Remove to a plate.
- Place the pan back on the stove and add the rest of the butter and the garlic. Cook, stirring often for a minute then add the remaining Garlic Herb Seasoning.3 Tablespoons Butter, 3 Cloves Garlic, 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Herb Seasoning
- Add the white wine and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 6-8 min or until reduced by half.1/2 Cup White Wine, 1/4 Cup Chicken Broth
- Add in the heavy cream and simmer for 2 minutes. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and stir.1 Cup Heavy Cream, 1 Squeeze of Lemon
- Add the spinach and chicken, seasoning with salt and a pinch of pepper and simmer 4-5 minutes or until thickened.1/2 teaspoon Salt, 2 Cups Baby Spinach, 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
- Garnish with a little more parm and serve immediately!1/2 Cup Parmesan
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Looks good Carri. Maybe we'll try it sometime. I don't usually like cooked spinach, but I've been thinking I should try to incorporate it more & see if I can like it.