Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin cutlets
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp oil (reserved from the sun-dried tomato jar)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, julienne cut
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh basil, chiffonade
Instructions:
- Pat the chicken cutlets dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Heat the sun-dried tomato oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Add chicken to the pan and sear for 3–5 minutes per side until a mahogany-colored crust forms and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate, keeping the browned bits (fond) in the pan.
- Lower the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and julienne sun-dried tomatoes to the remaining oil and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream, using a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and simmer for 3–5 minutes until the sauce thickens to a velvety consistency.
- Fold in the fresh baby spinach and stir until just wilted, then stir in the lemon juice.
- Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the pan. Spoon the sauce over the meat and simmer for 1 minute to reheat.
- Garnish with fresh basil chiffonade before serving.