Italian Creamy Tomato Spinach Chicken | kukskitchen

Italian Creamy Tomato Spinach Chicken

Sometimes the simplest ingredients come together to create something deeply comforting. This creamy tomato chicken is inspired by rustic Italian flavours but cooked the way I enjoy it at home. Juicy chicken thighs simmer gently in a rich tomato cream sauce with garlic, spinach and a hint of chilli. It is the kind of dish that feels indulgent yet effortless, perfect with pasta, rice or simply some warm bread to soak up the sauce.

Ingredients

Chicken thighs – 2, deboned (kept whole)

Salt – to taste

Black pepper – to taste

Chilli flakes – 1 tsp (for marinating the chicken)

Olive oil – 2 tbsp

Garlic – 4 cloves, minced

Onion – 1 medium, finely chopped

Tomato paste – 2 tbsp

Crushed tomatoes – 1 can (14 oz)

Heavy cream – 1 cup
(substitute coconut cream for a dairy free option)

Spinach – 2 cups fresh, packed

Red pepper flakes – 1 tsp (adjust to taste)

Parmesan cheese – ½ cup, grated (optional)

Fresh basil – a small handful, torn (optional)

Crushed chilli flakes – for garnish

Instructions

1. Marinate and cook the chicken
Season the whole deboned chicken thighs with salt, black pepper and chilli flakes. Heat a little olive oil in a pan and shallow fry the chicken until lightly golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

2. Sauté the aromatics
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and cook until softened and fragrant.

3. Build the sauce
Stir in the tomato paste and cook briefly to deepen the flavour.
Add the crushed tomatoes, mix well and allow the sauce to simmer for a few minutes.

4. Add the cream
Pour in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly.

5. Add spinach and chicken
Stir in the fresh spinach and cook until wilted. Return the whole chicken thighs to the pan and let them simmer in the sauce. Season with red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. If using, add the Parmesan for extra creaminess.

6. Garnish and serve
Finish with torn fresh basil and a sprinkle of crushed chilli flakes. Serve hot with extra Parmesan on the side if desired.

Tips

• Sear the chicken well before adding it to the sauce. The golden crust adds extra depth of flavour to the dish.

• Use good quality crushed tomatoes. Italian style tomatoes tend to give a richer and slightly sweeter sauce.

• Let the sauce simmer gently for a few extra minutes after adding the chicken. This allows the flavours to come together beautifully. 🍅🍗