Tuscan Chicken Recipe

This Tuscan Chicken recipe is creamy, garlicky, comforting chicken perfection! It’s one of those dishes that you won’t be able to stop eating, and it’s low carb as well so you don’t have to feel guilty for doing so!

What Makes This Chicken Recipe So Good?

My friend John, who tests recipes for me, wrote “HOME RUN” on this recipe! “AMAZING FLAVOR” he said! And I trust John, who has been cooking for 40+ years. So let’s trust him with this one and have you make it immediately.

This dish really has a whole depth of flavor to it! From the garlicky goodness to the dash of heat from the red pepper flakes, there is so much flavor in every single bite. It’s so very tasty that you’ll find yourself getting cravings for it.

And the reasons this dish is so amazing doesn’t stop there. Not only is this dish delicious, but it’s low carb as well! It’s not often that those of us on a keto diet get to enjoy an Italian dish as delicious as this one as most Italian dishes are loaded with carbs. This dish is sans-pasta, meaning you can enjoy this recipe completely guilt free!

Why Is It Called Tuscan Chicken?

It is called Tuscan Chicken because it is inspired by classic Tuscan cuisine, which is known for being simple, rustic, and full of fresh ingredients.

The dish borrows heavily from Tuscan flavor building. It has creamy sauce, herbs, vegetables, and parmesan cheese.

Ingredients You’ll Need

2 tablespoons butter - Provides richness and fat for sautéing. It helps brown the chicken and vegetables, creating flavorful caramelization that becomes the base of the dish.
1 tablespoon minced garlic - Adds bold, aromatic flavor. Garlic is essential for depth, enhancing the savory notes of the sauce and complementing the cheesy cream base.
1/2 cup onions - Onions bring sweetness and balance to the richness of the cream and cheese. They soften as they cook, adding body and flavor complexity to the base sauce.
1 cup mushroom - Mushrooms add umami and a meaty texture. They absorb the butter and seasonings while cooking, boosting flavor without adding many carbs.
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes - Provides a gentle heat and boosts flavor intensity. Ideal for those who want more spice, but easy to adjust or omit for milder palates.
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - A blend of herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme that gives the dish its signature Tuscan flavor profile. It enhances both the chicken and the creamy sauce.
1/2 teaspoon salt - Essential for seasoning and bringing out natural flavors in the chicken and vegetables. Helps balance the creamy richness.
1 teaspoon pepper - Adds warmth and mild spice, complementing the Italian herbs and highlighting the savory elements of the dish.
1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs - The protein base of the recipe. It’s juicy, tender, and higher in fat than chicken breast, making it ideal for keto. Cutting into chunks ensures quick, even cooking and more surface area for flavor absorption.
4 cups baby spinach - Wilts down into the sauce, adding nutrients, freshness, and color. Helps balance richness while keeping the dish keto-friendly and vegetable-forward.
1 cup cherry tomatoes - Adds pops of sweetness and acidity to cut through the creamy sauce. Their juiciness brightens the flavor and prevents the dish from feeling heavy.
1 cup heavy whipping cream - The primary component of the creamy keto sauce. It creates a silky, rich base that clings beautifully to the chicken and vegetables without needing flour or thickeners.
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese - Melts into the sauce, adding nutty, salty depth and helping it thicken naturally. Parmesan completes the Tuscan flavor profile and gives the sauce body and richness.

How To Make Tuscan Chicken

Melt the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium low heat. Add in garlic, onions, and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 30 seconds to coat the onions with the garlicky butter.
Add mushrooms, chicken, spinach, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and stir well.
Pour in heavy whipping cream and mix. Cover the pan and cook for 15 minutes, until the chicken has cooked through.
Stir in Parmesan cheese, and serve.

Tips And Tricks

Here are some helpful tips and tricks to make your Tuscan Chicken rich, flavorful, and perfectly tender every time you cook it.

If you don’t mind the carbs, you could certainly serve this over a bed of pasta. If you want to keep this recipe low carb, just enjoy as is or serve it over some zoodles (zucchini noodles).
The addition of red pepper flakes is completely optional. Feel free to omit it if you’re not a fan of spicy foods.
This dish tastes just as good, if not better the next day, so feel free to make extra to refrigerate and enjoy throughout the week!

Variations

Here are delicious variations for Tuscan Chicken, each with its own flavor twist while still keeping that creamy, rustic Tuscan feel.

Dairy-Free Tuscan Chicken - Swap heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast or a dairy-free alternative. The flavor stays rich and creamy.
Tuscan Chicken With Sun-Dried Tomatoes - Replace or combine cherry tomatoes with chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Their tangy sweetness intensifies the sauce beautifully.
Tuscan Chicken Thighs in the Instant Pot - Sear thighs first, then cook under high pressure for 7–8 minutes. Stir in cream and Parmesan after pressure is released to avoid curdling.
Tuscan Chicken Breasts (Lighter Version) - Use boneless chicken breasts and reduce cream by half. Add extra chicken broth or a splash of white wine for body without heaviness.

What To Eat With Tuscan Chicken

Here are the best sides to serve with Keto Tuscan Chicken so you can enjoy a complete, low-carb Italian-style meal that soaks up all that creamy sauce.

Zucchini noodles - Light, tender, and perfect for twirling through creamy sauce.
Cauliflower mash - A rich, buttery base that mimics traditional mashed potatoes’s comfort.
Cauliflower rice - Soaks up sauce beautifully while keeping carbs low.

How Long Does It Last?

Keto Tuscan Chicken generally keeps well for 3–4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

When reheating, warm it slowly on the stovetop or in the microwave at low-medium power to maintain the creamy texture and prevent separation.

If the sauce thickens after chilling, a splash of broth or extra cream can bring it back to a silky consistency.

Can You Freeze It?

Yes, you can freeze Tuscan Chicken, and it actually holds up surprisingly well thanks to the richness of the sauce and the tenderness of the chicken thighs.

For best results, let the dish cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. The cream-based sauce may separate slightly after thawing, but it typically comes back together when warmed gently and stirred well. Adding a splash of cream or broth can help restore smoothness.

Frozen Tuscan Chicken keeps well for about 2–3 months, and when you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating slowly on the stovetop or in the microwave at medium heat.

More Low Carb Italian Recipes

This Italian Sausage Soup recipe gives you all the flavor of Zuppa Toscana without all the carbs! You can make this delicious recipe in under 30 minutes!
This Zucchini Lasagna Recipe is so good you won’t even be able to tell that it’s low carb or gluten free! And thanks to your Instant Pot, it’s easy to make!
These Cauliflower Breadsticks are so good you’ll have a hard time believing that they’re low carb, gluten free and actually made of cauliflower!
This Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Spaghetti Squash is one of the tastiest spaghetti squash recipes out there. And not only is it crazy good, but it’s a great vegetarian side dish that’s easy to make, and makes a beautiful presentation to boot.