Name: Creamy Keto Tuscan Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: keto, low-carb, gluten-free
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons coconut oil, avocado oil or ghee; 2 pounds boneless/skinless chicken thighs; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon granulated garlic; 1/4 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth); 4 garlic cloves, minced (about 2 teaspoons); 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 cup heavy whipping cream (or sub canned coconut milk if dairy free); 1 heaping cup fresh spinach; 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (optional); optional garnishes like chopped parsley, red pepper flakes or fresh basil

This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. I earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you purchase using one of those links. I only recommend products I use and love. Thanks for supporting Stem and Spoon.

Jump to Recipe

This keto Tuscan chicken recipe is a love letter to basic chicken thighs and easy meals in general. Sun-dried tomatoes swimming in a creamy garlic sauce with wilted spinach are the makings for something good. When drizzled over crispy, pan-fried chicken thighs, it's nothing short of quick dinner magic.

If you're like me, anything with Tuscan in the name is already filed under my "recipes to make immediately" list. This one is easy, flavorful and laid back, ideal for both chaotic weekdays and chill weekends.

Keto Tuscan chicken in a black cast iron skillet. — *Keto Tuscan chicken. This recipe was updated in Feb. 2023 with new photos and small changes to give you the very best content.*

Creamy Tuscan garlic chicken is one of the first recipes I ever shared here.

The original recipe was dairy free and I've made a slight modification to it for those who wish to make a creamy sauce with, you know, real cream. And Parmesan cheese, a la authentic Tuscan cuisine.

It's a fantastic recipe that is rich and flavorful, with or without dairy. The dairy-free version still captures all that goodness and doesn't taste lacking in any way.

Serve this over cauliflower rice, low-carb "risotto", zucchini noodles or on low-carb pasta. It's great on its own too, paired alongside your favorite roasted vegetables.

why this recipe works

I'm forever trying to come up with new, low-carb spins on the classics, and chicken thighs seem to be a go-to in our family. With its rich, luscious cream sauce, this dish is sort of like a combination of my favorites: creamy paprika chicken thighs meets savory Tuscan soup.

A skillet with keto Tuscan chicken in cream sauce.

This keto Tuscan chicken recipe makes good use of basic ingredients. Chicken is a staple in our dinner rotation and I admit, it can get boring. But this meal is simple and full of flavor, ready to dish up in just 30 minutes.

It is:

low carb, gluten free and keto diet friendly
an easy, one-skillet meal that requires little effort
super flavorful with a great mix of textures.

the ingredients

I like to use boneless and skinless chicken thighs because they're more tender and easier to cook than chicken breasts. But the great thing about this recipe is you can swap in your favorite cut of chicken. If using chicken breasts, go for thin-cut pieces since they will cook quickly.

Sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese give the dish a natural saltiness. It's why I go easy on the seasonings and add more salt at the end, to taste.

Here's what you'll need:

avocado oil or coconut oil or ghee
skinless and boneless chicken thighs
salt and black pepper
smoked paprika
granulated garlic (or garlic powder)
dry white wine (or swap chicken broth)
fresh garlic cloves, minced
sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil
heavy whipping cream (or swap coconut cream if dairy free)
dried Italian seasoning
fresh baby spinach
Parmesan cheese (optional)
optional garnishes like fresh parsley, red pepper flakes and fresh basil

how to make keto Tuscan chicken

This recipe is so simple and it comes together in one large skillet! Here's a look at the steps for low-carb Tuscan chicken, but be sure to check out the recipe card at the bottom of the page for all of the details.

Pat dry the chicken thighs with paper towels and set them on a plate. Combine all of the seasonings in a small dish and season the chicken liberally.

Raw chicken thighs on a white plate with seasoning.

Melt ghee or oil in a large pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs in the skillet, cooking for about 5 minutes per side or until each side is golden brown and crispy and the chicken is cooked through. Transfer them to a plate.

Pouring heavy cream into a skillet with garlic and sundried tomatoes.

Deglaze the pan with the wine, scraping up all the browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Turn the stovetop to medium heat and add the garlic. Add the sundried tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Stir in the heavy cream and simmer for 5 minutes.

Stirring the sauce for low carb Tuscan chicken recipe.

Add the Parmesan, if using. Mix in the fresh spinach, stirring the mixture until the spinach wilts.

Add the chicken back to the pan and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper, if needed.

Closeup of keto tuscan chicken in a pan with cream sauce.

Top the whole dish with chopped fresh parsley or basil and red pepper flakes if you want a little heat.

recipe tips for the best results

For a dairy-free keto Tuscan chicken, you can swap in canned coconut milk for the heavy cream and omit the Parmesan cheese (or use a vegan substitute). Opt for full-fat coconut milk and make sure to use all of that coconut cream (the thick part that rises to the top of the can). Coconut milk from a carton is much thinner and doesn't always work as a substitute for canned coconut milk.

When fully-cooked, the chicken should register an internal temperature of 165°F with a meat thermometer. The amount of time will vary based on the thickness of the chicken pieces and the type of skillet you're using. If you feel that the chicken thighs are browning too quickly, reduce the stovetop to medium heat. You may need to cook the chicken in two separate batches.

For extra browned, crisp chicken thighs, use ghee! It's great for pan-frying and will give the chicken a beautiful, golden brown crust. The grease/oil might splash a bit so be careful.

Store leftover keto Tuscan chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

If you don't have baby spinach, you can use regular, chopped spinach instead. Tuscan kale is another good substitute.

Parmesan cheese will slightly thicken the cream sauce as it melts. If it appears too thick, add a splash more of cream to thin it to your personal preference.

Keto Tuscan chicken in a black cast iron skillet with a wooden spoon.

what to serve with keto Tuscan chicken

There are so many sides that will go great with this easy, low-carb dinner! Here's a short list of my favorites:

the creamiest cauliflower mash (low-carb, dairy-free, and it only requires 3 ingredients!)
a side of roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccolini
a slice of low-carb cornbread.

This creamy Tuscan chicken recipe will give you tender chicken thighs simmered in a sundried tomato cream sauce that's seasoned with Italian herbs for a whole lot of flavor. It's an easy, healthy, low carb meal that takes little effort to get on the dinner table. Don't forget extra spoonfuls of that creamy flavorful sauce!

Cheers to easy meal prep and a low-carb chicken recipe that's anything but boring! Hope you love it! If you try it, let me know what you think with a comment/rating below, or on Instagram!