8 Ingredient Grilled Chicken Florentine

Craving a summery meal that’s rich in flavor but won’t weigh you down? Try this low calorie Grilled Chicken Florentine! A trifecta of taste, health, and convenience. Not only is it good for you and delicious, it can also be prepared in under 30 minutes.

Short on time & ingredients? Try this easy 8 Ingredient Healthy Grilled Chicken and Spinach Florentine! Perfect for busy schedules or meal prep, this protein packed recipe is ready in 30 minutes. Low-calorie, flavorful, and ideal for a busy weeknight meal or your weekly meal prep! [Get the Recipe Now!]

What is the Origins of Chicken Florentine?

While we could not locate a hard source describing the lineage of this dish, the most common stories of its origin do rhyme quite well. One would immediately assume the dish to have northern Italian roots, specifically Florence. This assumption would prove to be close, but miss the mark as the dish appears to have been created in France.

The story does not exclude an Italian influence, noting a noble woman from Florence (Catherine de Medici) married into the French monarchy in the mid 16th century who became queen. Upon moving to France she brought her Florentine chefs with her who developed the dish consisting of spinach in a cream sauce best described as a mornay or béchamel sauce.

While a nice story, others note the story as inaccurate and claim that this style of cooking existed prior to this date.

Is Traditional Chicken Florentine healthy?

Classic, or Traditional Florentine is known for its rich sauce, often made with heavy cream and butter. Some recipes even rely on a combination of cheeses to create a luxurious, béchamel-like base. It’s no surprise then, that these dishes are loaded with fat and calories. While undeniably decadent, a traditional Florentine wouldn’t exactly be considered heart-friendly. Here’s another clue: the abundance of “healthy” Florentine recipes online! These recipes try to capture the flavor of the original, but with a lighter touch. Our version takes a different approach altogether.

Can Grilled Chicken Florentine be considered Healthy?

We don’t believe in sacrificing flavor for health! That’s why our grilled chicken and spinach recipe skips the low-fat sauce substitutes often found in “healthy” versions. These substitutes can leave you with a sauce that’s just okay, passable maybe. We know you deserve better! Our recipes are all about deliciousness, and this Florentine dish is no exception.

This recipe ditches the rich sauce and focuses on fresh, vibrant flavors instead. We sauté spinach with extra virgin olive oil, fragrant garlic and onions, and a touch of Italian spices for some magic. The chicken gets a quick marinade to stay juicy on the grill. The only indulgence? A sprinkle of melty mozzarella cheese for a creamy finish. The result: a protein powerhouse bursting with Italian flair and that smoky goodness you only get from grilling. Yes, you can absolutely call this healthy chicken Florentine!

Can grilled chicken florentine be frozen?

Ready to enjoy this flavorful dish anytime? It freezes beautifully which is why it is a terrific recipe for those who meal prep! Just one tip: skip the mozzarella when prepping for the freezer. Here’s why: we have found freezing cheese can sometimes lead to a less than ideal result. Many say it freezes well, we disagree. Instead, prepare the entire dish as usual, but hold off on melting the cheese on top of the spinach. When you’re ready to eat, simply defrost the dish, add the mozzarella, and melt it while warming up the chicken. It’s that easy to have a delicious, healthy meal whenever you crave it!

What does Grilled Chicken Florentine Taste like?

What do you serve with Grilled Chicken Florentine?

Ready to serve? The beauty of this dish is its versatility! Plate it straight off the grill and pair it with any side that complements grilled food. Classic options can include macaroni salad, rice, or potatoes.

For a more unexpected twist, we love serving pierogi alongside this recipe. It’s incredibly simple: just prepare a quick tomato sauce with garlic, onion, and a sprinkle of dried basil. Toss in your frozen pierogi to heat them through. No need for a separate recipe card, it’s that easy!

Feeling a bit more adventurous? Take a look at some of our recipes for sides. Specifically, kimchi fried rice, zucchini bites and onion quiche. Click the links below for the recipes!

Craving a handheld version? This grilled Chicken Florentine doubles beautifully as a panini! That’s how we enjoyed it while developing this recipe. We simply tuck the cooked chicken into naan bread, adding another slice of melty mozzarella for good measure. This extra cheese helps bind the sandwich together. Close the sandwich and heat on your panini press. And the best part? The same delicious sides work perfectly here!

Is Grilled Chicken Florentine Gluten Free?

Here’s the beauty of this recipe: it’s naturally gluten-free! The core ingredients—chicken, spinach, garlic, onion, olive oil, and mozzarella—are all gluten-free. Just be sure to double-check any store-bought marinade you use to ensure it doesn’t contain any hidden gluten.

Can I add sun dried tomatoes?

Love sun-dried tomatoes? We do too, and they’re a fantastic way to add a burst of flavor to this dish! Here’s a simple twist: dice up a few sun-dried tomatoes and toss them into the pan when you’re sautéing the onion and garlic. Let them cook for a minute or two, then mix them right in with the spinach. That’s all it takes to add a touch of tangy sweetness to your Chicken Florentine!

What about Chicken Florentine with pasta, pizza and crepes?

This recipe has the flexibility to be prepared and served in so many variations. To create grilled chicken Florentine pasta or pizza, simply marinade the chicken and prepare the spinach according to the recipe below. Then cut the grilled cutlet into bite sized pieces. Cut mozzarella into small pieces, or use shredded. Cook up your favorite pasta. Once the pasta is ready, simply mix the pasta with the chicken, spinach and mozzarella.

For pizza or crepes, prepare the chicken and spinach the same as you would for the pasta. Spread the pizza dough and top with the chicken and spinach. Top with mozzerella and bake for 15 minutes at 450F. For the crepes, fill crepes with the chicken, spinach and mozzerella and serve hot.

How do I make the Healthy Grilled Chicken Florentine Recipe?

This recipe uses a minimal number of ingredients, 8 (not including seasonings) and can easily be prepared in under an hour. If you are super organized and pre-marinate the chicken, this can be prepared in 30 minutes making it a perfect weeknight meal for all of us with a busy schedule. Best part? This tastes good enough to be considered a weekend splurge!

Start with the marinade

Start with partially defrosted chicken breast and slice them length-wise into two thick cutlets. Place the cutlets into a deep dish or ziplock bag and cover with Italian dressing. Seal the bag or dish and place in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Super busy schedule? This can also be done the night before so the cutlets are marinated when you are ready to prepare the dish, saving some time when preparing dinner.

Now, the spinach

If you marinated the chicken the night before, this is step 1. Chop the garlic, slice the onion and sauté in some olive oil. Clean your spinach and add to a sauté pan. We have used the GreenPan for years and it still cooks like it is brand new. It heats evenly and cooks stick free. Once the onions have softened, season and cover the pan. You can start heating up the grill at this time if you are good at multitasking. Cook until spinach has wilted. Taste for seasoning.

Let’s heat up the grill!

After flipping the cutlets, place a healthy helping of spinach on the chicken. Close the lid and let the spinach heat and the cutlet cook. Cooking time will depend on your grill and the method of cooking you select.

This is where the recipe varies if this is for meal prep. If you are preparing tonight’s meal, when the cutlet is almost done, place a slice of mozzarella over the spinach. Close the lid and heat until the cheese is melted. That’s it! Serve with your favorite side.

If this is for meal prep, don’t add the mozzarella. The cheese will get funky with the moisture in the spinach or after spending time in the freezer. Remove the chicken and spinach from the grill, allow to cool, then place in your meal prep containers. When ready to use, defrost. Once defrosted, add a slice of mozzarella and heat until mozzarella is melted and chicken is hot. This recipe is ideal for all of us with busy schedules and demand good and wholesome food.

Feeling like a pannini?

Prefer your grilled Chicken Florentine as a panini? Simply take a slice of naan bread ( or your favorite bread for a panini) and place a slice of mozzerella on the base. Place the chicken and spinach on the cheese and cover with a second naan bread. You want cheese on the top and bottom to hold the panini together.

Place the panini onto your panini press and close until browned. We use a simple Hamilton Beach panini press . It is reasonably priced and gives us terrific results. It gets hot enough to give our paninis a crunchy outside while heating the inside of the sandwich well. Don’t own a panini press? Place the sandwich on your grill at low to medium heat and close the lid until the bottom has browned. Again, timing will depend on your grill. Slide spatula under the panini and hold the top with your palm, then quickly flip. Close the lid and cook until lightly browned. Enjoy!

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