Tender chicken in rich cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan cheese. This meal packs protein – 47g in total, is gluten-free, low-carb, low calorie (462 kcal) and perfect for busy weeknights.

There is something highly comforting about the mix of creamy sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and chicken. One bite of this meal is like a warm hug to your heart.

All you need are simple ingredients like chicken, spinach, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and heavy cream.

I love a creamy chicken and so does every person I know but you usually have to make it in a skillet and that’s just too much work sometimes. I figured I could skip standing by the stove top and just make this in the oven.

And I did. I’ve made perfectly moist and creamy chicken all in one pan, just baked in the oven. It does taste like a meal you’d get at the restaurant with way less effort.

My mom even told me she’s now making this on the weekends, because it’s just that good!

Ingredients and Substitutes

Chicken breasts, skinless and boneless (4) – You can use chicken thighs for a juicier texture or use tofu or tempeh for a plant-based option.

Olive oil (1 tbsp) – Swap with avocado oil, coconut oil, or any other vegetable oil.

Sundried tomatoes, chopped and drained (1/3 cup) – Replace with cherry tomatoes or roasted red peppers for a sweeter and milder flavor. However, I do recommend getting sun-dried tomatoes since they add a special flavor.

Heavy cream (3/4 cup) – If you don’t have heavy cream, you can use coconut cream or a mix of milk and butter. You can also use dairy-free cream. 

Chicken broth (1/2 cup) – Try vegetable broth or mushroom broth for a vegetarian option.

Garlic powder (1 tbsp) – You can also use freshly minced garlic (3 cloves) or granulated garlic.

Sea salt (¼ tsp)

Parmesan, grated (1/4 cup) -Use Pecorino Romano, Asiago, or nutritional yeast for a plant-based and dairy-free option.

Spinach, chopped (1/2 cup) – Kale, Swiss chard, or arugula are great replacements.

CHICKEN SEASONING

Italian seasoning (2 tsp) – Use a homemade blend of dried basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme.

Paprika (2 tsp) – Use smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for a slight kick.

Red chili pepper flakes (1/2 tsp) – You can adjust based on your preferences. If you like spicy food, add more, but you can remove it if you are not a fan. You can also use chopped chili, cayenne pepper, or chipotle powder.

Sea salt (1/4 tsp)

Black pepper (1/2 tsp)

How to Make Creamy Baked Chicken

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 425°F and prepare a casserole dish by greasing it with some oil. Place the chicken breasts on a chopping board and pound them thin, ensuring they are all of a similar thickness.

Step 2. Now, place the chicken breasts inside the casserole dish and drizzle them with olive oil.

Step 3. Grab a small bowl and combine all the ingredients for the chicken seasoning.

Step 4. Cover the chicken breasts with the seasoning, making sure you cover both sides.

Step 5. Add the sun-dried tomatoes.

Step 6. In another bowl, add the heavy cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, and sea salt.

Step 7. Give the ingredients a good stir to combine everything.

Step 8. Pour the heavy cream mix over the chicken. Then, sprinkle the chicken with some Parmesan cheese.

Step 9. Place the chicken in the oven and cook for 25-30 minutes. When the chicken is all cooked, remove it from the oven.

Step 10. Add the spinach and cover the casserole dish with foil.

Step 11. Place the chicken back into the oven and cook for another 5-10 minutes to let the spinach wilt. When it’s ready, remove from the oven and enjoy.

What I Would Serve with This Creamy Baked Chicken

• Garlic mashed potatoes
• Cauliflower rice or brown rice
• Roasted vegetables
• Crusty garlic bread
• Green salad with light vinaigrette
• Arugula avocado salad
• Quinoa salad
• Roasted potato wedges

My Tips & Tricks

1. Preparing the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to make them thinner and uniform. Also, make sure you pat the chicken dry before adding any oil or seasonings.
2. Enhance the Flavor: Try adding a splash of white wine to the cream or toasting the seasonings for 30 seconds before mixing them.
3. Perfect Texture: Make sure you don’t overcook the spinach since it can become mushy. You can also change the consistency of the sauce. For example, if you want the sauce to be thicker, mix 1 tsp of cornstarch with 1 tbsp of cold water and stir it in. 

Other Creamy High Protein Recipes

• Creamy Tuscan Salmon
• Creamy Dijon Pork Chops
• Creamy Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes