These Tuscan chicken thighs are juicy and tender, with a seasoned sun-dried tomato sauce full of classic Italian flavor and fresh baby spinach. It's a hearty meal that's 100% gluten free and dairy free but still loaded with authentic flavor. Even better, it's ready in just about 30 minutes.
I'm a big fan of easy chicken recipes, especially these days! Prices keep going up with no end in sight, so I've been using a lot more chicken lately. It's just about the most affordable protein you can buy, and its mild flavor makes it perfect for almost any kind of dish.
Of course, as an Italian girl from Jersey, I love pairing chicken with Italian flavors. You'll always find dishes like chicken garlic parmesan pasta or Marry Me chicken on my table because they feed all the hungry kids that constantly rotate through my house, and they're super easy to make.
I've always loved rich, hearty, creamy dishes that, to be honest, are on the heavy side. Lately, though, I've been trying to lighten things up by making recipes like this dairy free chicken alfredo. By using high-quality (that's important) vegan alternatives to dairy, I can get all that delicious flavor with fewer calories and saturated fat. That's exactly what I've done with this chicken thighs recipe.
Now, I know what you're thinking, but don't run away just yet! Make this Tuscan chicken recipe just once, and you'll be a believer, too. By using coconut milk, I achieve the richness of cream and a lovely, subtle hint of coconut that pairs perfectly with the seasonings in this sun-dried tomato sauce. Hey, if my kids and their friends love it, I'm sure you will, too!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- The Ingredients are Simple: Everything you need to make this recipe can be found in your kitchen or grocery store. Even the cheese alternatives are commonplace these days.
- So Easy: This easy chicken thigh recipe only takes a few simple steps and about 30 minutes from start to finish. It's so easy that even beginners will have no trouble with it.
- Hearty and Flavorful: Both the chicken thighs and sauce are seasoned with classic flavors like Italian seasoning, paprika, and aromatics. That combination of flavors, along with the sun-dried tomatoes and coconut cream, creates a dish with so much rich flavor and a sauce with the perfect texture.
- Customizable: You can easily tweak this recipe to make it your own.
- Versatile: You can serve these thighs with potatoes, rice, or pasta as a main dish or bring them to a potluck.
Jump to:
Ingredients
You can find a complete list of ingredients and their exact amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Variations
- Chicken Thighs: I love the richness that boneless skinless chicken thighs add to this dish, but you can also use boneless skinless chicken breasts if you prefer. Beef or pork strips and shellfish like shrimp would also work very well.
- Spicy: Add red pepper flakes for a kick of heat.
- Add More Veggies: Vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, and finely diced carrots and celery add more flavor to this dish. Give it a try if you're a veggie lover!
- Traditional: If you don't have dietary restrictions, feel free to use traditional grated Parmesan cheese.
- Creamy: Use traditional dairy ingredients, including heavy cream and flour as a roux, to create a creamy Tuscan chicken version.
How to Make Tuscan Chicken Thighs
Coat the chicken thighs with the chicken seasonings. Then, in a large skillet over medium heat, sear the chicken until golden on both sides. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
In the same skillet, add the tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, onion, and seasonings, and cook until fragrant.
Add the remaining ingredients except the cornstarch slurry. Then, mix and return the chicken thighs to the pan.
Simmer until the spinach has wilted. Then, add the cornstarch slurry and continue simmering until the sauce has thickened and the chicken's internal temperature reaches 165°F. Top with fresh basil and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- When rinsing your chicken thighs, place them in a strainer and place it in your sink. Then, run a gentle stream of water over the chicken to avoid as much splashing and bacterial spread as possible. Thoroughly wash the sink and counters after rinsing the chicken.
- It's important to pat the chicken dry before adding the seasonings. This ensures that the seasonings adhere to the chicken and reduces spattering as the chicken is seared in the hot oil.
- I always like to begin searing my chicken thighs with the smooth side down. Starting with an even base helps ensure even cooking and color on the meat.
- Sear the chicken until it has a nice, golden color. At this point, the goal isn't to cook the chicken through. You just want to get a good color and deepen the flavor of the seasonings before continuing with the dish.
- I highly recommend using full-fat coconut cream for this dish. Low-fat cream won't give you the same luxurious texture.
- Use high-quality vegan Parmesan for this recipe. When it comes to vegan alternatives, you absolutely get what you pay for.
Tuscan Chicken Thighs FAQ
Tuscan sauce is traditionally made with garlic, sun dried tomatoes, spinach, butter, chicken broth, heavy cream, and Italian seasonings.
Tuscan chicken thighs are delicious served over pasta, with mashed potatoes, or with rice and vegetables. Of course, garlic bread always works well with Tuscan flavors!
High-quality vegan Parmesan tastes almost identical to regular Parmesan. However, cheaper, low-quality Parmesan alternatives often fail to replicate the taste of genuine Parmesan cheese. Be sure to use a high-quality product for the best flavor in your dishes.
📖 Recipe
Tuscan Chicken Thighs
Video
Ingredients
Chicken Thighs
- 4 chicken thighs boneless, skinless
- ½ tablespoon paprika
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tbps olive oil
Sauce
- 2 tablespoon minced onion
- ½ cup sun dried tomatoes
- ½ cup grape tomatoes halved
- 2 tbps tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 13.5 oz coconut cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 3 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- ½ cup vegan Parmesan
- 1 cup spinach chopped
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 4 tablespoon cold water
Instructions
Chicken
- Wash the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels. This ensures your spices will adhere to your chicken.
- Add the chicken to a medium bowl and sprinkle with the paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until the thighs are evenly coated.
- Preheat the olive oil in a large pan on medium heat. Then, place the chicken thighs smooth side down in the pan. Sear for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden. Then, transfer the thighs to a plate.
Sauce
- Add the sun dried tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, minced onion, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and dried basil to the same pan. Stir and reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Add the chicken broth, coconut cream, nutritional yeast, tomato paste, and Parmesan. Then, stir.
- Add the chicken thighs and spinach and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
- Mix the cornstarch and water, and add it to the pan. Mix and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the thighs reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Enjoy!
Notes
- Refrigerate for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Microwave individual portions at 1-minute intervals.
- When rinsing your chicken thighs, place them in a strainer and place it in your sink. Then, run a gentle stream of water over the chicken to avoid as much splashing and bacterial spread as possible. Thoroughly wash the sink and counters after rinsing the chicken.
- It's important to pat the chicken dry before adding the seasonings. This ensures that the seasonings adhere to the chicken and reduces spattering as the chicken is seared in the hot oil.
- I always like to begin searing my chicken thighs with the smooth side down. Starting with an even base helps ensure even cooking and color on the meat.
- Sear the chicken until it has a nice, golden color. At this point, the goal isn't to cook the chicken through. You just want to get a good color and deepen the flavor of the seasonings before continuing with the dish.
- I highly recommend using full-fat coconut cream for this dish. Low-fat cream won't give you the same luxurious texture.
- Use high-quality vegan Parmesan for this recipe. When it comes to vegan alternatives, you absolutely get what you pay for.
CC Thompson says
Your Tuscan Chicken is delicious! Easy to make, beautiful presentation, and with a side of creamy mashed potato, this meal will impress and delight!
Nicole Kendrick says
Thanks for giving it a try, CC! So glad to help you feed your friends and family!
Swathi says
This is chicken is so delicious, loved that sundried tomato and seasonings so good. I am going to try it with fish and vegetables.
Krystle Smith says
I made this last night and it was so good! I loved that the sauce was rich without being overwhelming, and the spinach added a nice fresh touch.