Name: High Protein Tuscan Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 4 cloves garlic, minced; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon oregano; ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper; ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil or water, drained and sliced if whole; 1 cup chicken bone broth; ½ cup heavy cream; ½ cup cottage cheese; ½ cup parmesan, grated or shredded; ¼ cup basil, chopped and packed; 4–6 oz chicken breast slices, about 1 inch thick each (or 3 large chicken breasts total)

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

SPREAD LOVE

High Protein Tuscan Chicken

This friendly, crowd-pleasing meal delivers creamy, savory comfort without sacrificing protein or flavor. It’s ideal for busy weeknights or a relaxed weekend dinner when you want something elegant but simple. If you enjoy rich, saucy chicken dishes, you might also like a similar, oven-baked comfort dish like High-Protein Chicken Alfredo Bake which shares that same satisfyingly creamy profile.

Why make this recipe

If you’re tired of bland, low-effort weeknight dinners that leave you hungry, this recipe is perfect because it combines high protein from lean chicken and cottage cheese with a rich, herb-forward sauce, creating a filling meal that feels indulgent but is nourishing. The sauce is thick and silky without relying solely on heavy cream, and the addition of sun-dried tomatoes and basil gives it a bright, Mediterranean edge.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making High Protein Tuscan Chicken

What makes this version stand out is the use of cottage cheese blended with heavy cream and parmesan to boost protein and create a luscious texture while keeping the dish approachable. The broad strokes are simple: sear, build the sauce, return the chicken to simmer and finish — but the small details (how you sauté the garlic, when you add the basil, how long you simmer) are where the flavor comes together.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon oregano
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil or water (drained and sliced if whole)
1 cup chicken bone broth
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup cottage cheese
½ cup parmesan, grated or shredded
¼ cup basil, chopped and packed
4–6 oz chicken breast slices, about 1" thick each (or 3 large chicken breasts total)

Directions

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Make sure the skillet is roomy enough to hold the chicken and sauce later.
Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant — about 30–60 seconds — being careful not to brown it.
Stir in the salt, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Cook the spices with the garlic for about 1 minute to bloom their flavors.
Add the sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet, followed by the chicken bone broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer so the tomatoes release flavor into the liquid.
Reduce the heat slightly and stir in the heavy cream and cottage cheese. Stir frequently until the cottage cheese warms and begins to integrate into the cream, creating a silky, slightly textured sauce.
Add the parmesan and chopped basil, stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes cohesive and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Return the sliced chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over each piece to coat well. Simmer the chicken in the sauce until cooked through — internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) if using a thermometer — and the sauce has thickened to your liking. This usually takes 6–12 minutes depending on thickness.
Remove from heat and let the dish sit for a minute so the sauce settles. Serve hot with your chosen sides.

Keeping High Protein Tuscan Chicken Fresh

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days at 40°F (4°C) or below.
Freezer: Freeze portions in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months at 0°F (-18°C).
Reheating: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Reheat gently in a skillet over low-medium heat or in a microwave until warmed through; add a splash of broth or cream if the sauce has separated.

How to Present High Protein Tuscan Chicken

Serving Suggestions for High Protein Tuscan Chicken

Over Carbs: Spoon the creamy chicken over a bed of cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, whole-grain pasta, or a simple pile of mashed potatoes to soak up the sauce.
With Greens: Pair it with roasted asparagus, steamed broccoli, or a crisp green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance richness.
For Meal Prep: Divide into meal containers with a base of brown rice or quinoa and a side of roasted vegetables for high-protein lunches or dinners during the week.
Garnishes: Finish with a sprinkle of extra grated parmesan, a little flaky sea salt, and extra fresh basil leaves or a squeeze of lemon to brighten the dish before serving.

Tips to Make High Protein Tuscan Chicken

Q: How do I keep the sauce creamy and not grainy?
A: Add the cottage cheese gradually while stirring, and finish with parmesan off the heat if possible so it melts gently. If the sauce seems grainy from cottage cheese curds, blitz with an immersion blender briefly to smooth it out.

Q: How do I prevent the chicken from drying out?
A: Sear the chicken just until golden on each side, then finish cooking by simmering in the sauce, which helps maintain moisture. Use a meat thermometer and remove at 165°F (74°C).

Q: Can I make this ahead for guests?
A: Yes—prepare the sauce and chicken, cool, and refrigerate separately. Reheat gently and combine before serving. This reduces last-minute stress and preserves texture.

Variation (if any)

Lower-Fat Option: Replace the heavy cream with an equal amount of half-and-half and use low-fat cottage cheese, then reduce the added parmesan slightly. This cuts some calories while keeping the creamy character.
Keto/Paleo Approach: Use full-fat cream and omit cottage cheese in favor of cream cheese for an ultra-smooth, lower-lactose sauce; serve over cauliflower mash or zucchini noodles for a compatible low-carb plate.

What makes this special

This recipe blends protein-rich cottage cheese with traditional Tuscan ingredients — sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and parmesan — to create a sauce that feels indulgent but is actually fortified with extra protein. The sun-dried tomatoes add concentrated umami and tanginess, and the basil provides a fresh contrast that keeps the dish bright despite its creaminess.

Cooking notes and technique details

Searing: Use medium-high heat to get a quick golden crust on the chicken. Don’t crowd the pan; if you need to, sear in batches. A good sear adds flavor through the Maillard reaction and improves the texture.
Garlic: Mince finely and add early to infuse the butter, but watch it closely — burnt garlic becomes bitter.
Sun-dried tomatoes: If packed in oil, reserve a tablespoon of the oil to add to the pan for extra flavor. If packed dry, briefly rehydrate them in hot broth before adding.
Cottage cheese: If you prefer a completely smooth sauce, blend the cottage cheese first or use a high-speed blender/immersion blender to create a uniform texture before stirring it into the sauce.
Cheese: Freshly grated parmesan melts more smoothly than pre-shredded varieties, which often contain anti-caking agents.

Nutrition and protein focus

High Protein Tuscan Chicken is designed to lean on high-protein dairy (cottage cheese and parmesan) and lean poultry to give each serving a substantial protein boost. Depending on portion sizes and whether you include sides like pasta or rice, a single serving of the chicken and sauce alone can offer 30+ grams of protein when using three large chicken breasts and the dairy amounts listed. This makes it suitable for active eaters or anyone looking to increase protein intake without sacrificing comfort-food flavors.

Meal prep and scaling

Batch Cooking: Double the sauce and chicken for freezer meals. Cool quickly and portion into individual containers for grab-and-go dinners.
Single-Serve Options: Slice and place one chicken breast per container with ½ cup sauce each for balanced meals.
Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop for best results, stirring gently; add a splash of broth if the sauce has thickened too much.

Quick shopping checklist

Chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
Cottage cheese (preferably low-lump or low-fat depending on preference)
Parmesan (block for grating)
Sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed for flavor)
Fresh basil
Heavy cream or preferred substitute
Chicken bone broth (or good-quality stock)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
A: Yes. Chicken thighs will be juicier and more forgiving if slightly overcooked; reduce simmer time slightly as they can take longer to sear but will remain tender.

Q: Is cottage cheese necessary?
A: Cottage cheese adds protein and body; you can substitute ricotta or cream cheese for a different texture and slightly different flavor profile, though protein content will vary.

Q: Can this be made dairy-free?
A: Making a fully dairy-free version requires swapping heavy cream for coconut cream and omitting cottage cheese and parmesan — using nutritional yeast for umami — but the texture and taste will change significantly.

Q: How can I make the sauce thicker or thinner?
A: To thicken, simmer longer uncovered to reduce, or stir in a small slurry of cornstarch and water. To thin, add more chicken broth in small increments until you reach the desired consistency.

Q: What sides pair best with this dish?
A: Light, crisp sides like a simple arugula salad, roasted green beans, or steamed broccoli balance the richness. For carbs, whole-grain pasta, polenta, or mashed potatoes work beautifully.

Q: Can I make this in the oven?
A: You can finish the assembled skillet under a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes to meld flavors; cover if you want to keep the chicken extra moist.

Variation details and substitutions

Vegetarian Twist (Paragraph): For a vegetarian version, replace chicken with large seared portobello mushrooms or grilled tofu steaks. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken bone broth and add a little white wine or extra lemon juice for brightness. Stir in an extra handful of spinach until wilted for added nutrients and a pop of color.
Mediterranean Upgrade (Comparison-style): Swap sun-dried tomatoes for roasted red peppers and add kalamata olives for a slightly brinier profile; comparison: sun-dried tomatoes = concentrated sweet-tart umami, roasted red peppers + olives = smoky-sweet + salty depth.

Final prep checklist before serving

Taste and adjust salt/pepper and acidity (a squeeze of lemon can brighten).
Add fresh basil right before serving to preserve its aroma.
Garnish with additional parmesan or a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil for sheen.

Common mistakes to avoid

Overcooking the garlic (use low-medium heat when sautéing).
Adding cheese to very high heat; this can cause clumping or separation.
Letting the sauce boil after adding cream; instead, keep it at a gentle simmer to avoid curdling.
Crowding the pan when searing chicken, which prevents good browning.

Q&A quick reference (three quick swaps)

Q: How can I make this faster?
A: Use thin-cut chicken breasts or pound them to uniform thickness to reduce cooking time by half. Pre-slice sun-dried tomatoes and have seasonings measured out.

Q: What if my sauce splits?
A: Remove from heat, whisk in a tablespoon of cold water or broth, or gently blend to reincorporate. Finishing with a small pat of cold butter can also bring it back together.

Q: Best way to thicken without cream?
A: Reduce the broth longer or stir in a small amount of instant mashed potato flakes or a cornstarch slurry.

Conclusion

This High Protein Tuscan Chicken gives you a satisfying, protein-rich dinner that balances creamy indulgence with bright Mediterranean flavors; it’s easy to scale, reheats well, and adapts to many dietary needs. For a variation focused on the same core flavor profile but presented as a lighter, low-carb meal, check out Low Carb Creamy Tuscan Chicken – Skinny Southern Recipes. If you want another protein-forward, oven-baked creamy chicken idea that complements this dish, see High Protein Tuscan Chicken (Marry Me Chicken) – Joy to the Food.