Healthy Tuscan Chicken {Olive Garden Copycat in 30 Minutes!}

The sauteed zucchini, summer squash, and cherry tomatoes are the veggie base for this sauce. Then, you'll make a healthier cream sauce with a mix of light cream cheese and a splash of milk. It's just as creamy but much lighter in calories. This, combined with the sautéed veggies and chicken, creates a healthier take on the classic restaurant dish, and you don't even need to leave your house.

Serve it with pasta, whole grains, polenta, mashed cauliflower, spaghetti squash, zucchini noodles, or do what we did. Grab a spoon, some crusty bread, and eat it right out of the skillet with a nice green salad!

If you love lightened-up classics, try this Grilled Chicken Margherita and Sheet Pan Healthy Chicken Parm!

What is Tuscan Chicken?

Although there are tons of recipes floating around the internet for Tuscan chicken, it actually got its start at the Olive Garden.

The original dish was made with chicken breast, spinach, red bell peppers, and fettuccini, all served in a super creamy Parmesan and white wine sauce. Since then, Tuscan chicken usually refers to a creamy garlic chicken dish. It can be made with all kinds of different vegetables and may or may not have white wine. It also may or may not include pasta.

Today, people use this base recipe for Tuscan chicken to make all kinds of different recipes, including pasta, mac and cheese, sandwiches, soup, and even pizza. It's super versatile and tastes good pretty much any way you serve it.

How to make Tuscan seasoning?

Tuscan seasoning is a spice blend made with a combination of rosemary, thyme, basil, marjoram, garlic powder, onion powder, and fennel. It's very similar to Italian seasoning, except that Italian seasoning typically includes oregano and doesn't use fennel. However, since the flavors are so similar, they can be swapped in recipes. It can be used on chicken, steak, pork, veggies, and in sauces, soups, and stews.

Here is the basic recipe to make Tuscan seasoning at home:

• 2 tablespoons crushed rosemary
• 1 tablespoon thyme
• 1 tablespoon basil
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1.5 tsp dried marjoram
• 1 teaspoon crushed fennel

For a different spin on this recipe, try using this homemade pizza seasoning instead.

How to Make Healthy Tuscan Chicken

Here's how to make the healthier version of your favorite Olive Garden dish:

1. Season and Cook the Chicken

Coat the chicken with seasoning and sear it in a hot skillet until it's browned and cooked through. Then set it aside.

Pro tip: Don't crowd the pan, or the chicken will steam instead of sear.

2. Sauté the Veggies

Add the squash, tomatoes, and garlic to the same pan. Cook until the tomatoes start to burst and the squash softens.

Pro tip: Once the cherry tomatoes start to burst, move fast. You want them juicy enough to help make the sauce, but not so far gone that they disappear. Turn the heat down before adding the cream cheese. It melts more easily that way and doesn't curdle.

3. Make the Sauce

Turn the heat down and stir in the cream cheese and milk. Once melted, add the Parmesan and stir until smooth.

4. Bring It All Together

Add the chicken back to the pan and toss to coat in the sauce. Let it warm through for a minute before serving. Serve with fresh basil.

Change Up the Flavors

Want to jazz things up your way? Here are some fun swaps and add-ins to make this Tuscan Chicken your own:

• Add spinach or kale: Toss in a few handfuls at the end for extra greens and color.
• Make it spicy: Add crushed red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne to the sauce.
• Swap the protein: Use chicken thighs, shrimp, or even chickpeas for a different spin.
• Use different veggies: Try mushrooms, bell peppers, or asparagus if you don't have squash.
• Make it dairy-free: Use dairy-free cream cheese, plant milk, and a vegan Parmesan alternative.
• Add white beans: Stir in cannellini or great northern beans for more fiber and a creamy texture.
• Add sun-dried tomatoes: For a deeper, tangy tomato flavor, stir in a few chopped sun-dried tomatoes with the garlic.

What to Serve with Creamy Tuscan Chicken

There are tons of side dish options for Tuscan chicken. Here are some of our favorites:

• Pasta: This Pasta Primavera, Easy Vegetable Pasta Salad, or Lemon Brussels Sprout Pasta would make the perfect side dish for this Tuscan Chicken.
• Polenta: Basil Parmesan Polenta soaks up all that creamy sauce.
• Mashed cauliflower or potatoes: Potato Cauliflower Mash or Roasted Fingerling Potatoes make nice and cozy side dishes.
• Spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles: This Garlic Spaghetti Squash and Parmesan Zucchini Noodles are light, low-carb, and great for soaking up sauce.
• Rice, farro, or quinoa: These grains make it a full meal.
• Roasted vegetables: I love adding a side of Roasted Garlic Broccoli or Parmesan Green Beans for a bit of extra veggies.

Keep Tuscan Chicken Fresh

Here's how to store and reheat leftovers for next-day enjoyment:

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over low heat or microwave in short bursts, stirring between rounds to keep the sauce smooth.
• Make ahead: You can prep the chicken and chop the veggies ahead of time. Store separately and cook fresh when ready.
• Leftovers: Toss them with Vegetable Alfredo or rice for an easy next-day meal.