Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a delightful dish that brings the flavors of Italy to your kitchen. With tender chicken, fresh spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes, all tossed together in a rich and creamy sauce, this recipe is perfect for dinner any night of the week. Simple to make and packed with flavor, it’s sure to become a family favorite.
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Why Make This Recipe
This recipe is a must-try because it’s quick, easy, and incredibly delicious. It combines comforting pasta with the savory taste of chicken and the brightness of spinach and tomatoes. Plus, it’s a one-pan dish, meaning fewer dishes to wash afterward! Perfect for weeknight meals or special occasions, Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta offers a taste of Italy right at home.
How to Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Making Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a straightforward process. Follow the steps below, and you’ll have a wonderful meal ready in no time!
Ingredients :
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Directions :
- Boil water in a large pot and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water for later.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and dried basil.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet, set aside, and slice it into strips.
- In the same skillet, add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes.
- Then, add the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with the sliced chicken. Toss everything to coat the pasta in the creamy sauce.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese, spinach, and red pepper flakes. Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes, until the spinach wilts and everything is well combined.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the creamy Tuscan chicken pasta, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.
How to Serve Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is best served warm. You can plate it individually or serve it family-style in a large bowl. Don’t forget to add some extra Parmesan cheese on top and a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a fresh touch. Pair it with a side salad or some garlic bread for a complete meal.
How to Store Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta will keep well for about 3 days. When ready to reheat, you can use the microwave or warm it on the stove, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
Tips to Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
- If you want a bit more flavor, marinate the chicken in olive oil, salt, and herbs for an hour before cooking.
- For a healthier version, you can use whole grain pasta or gluten-free pasta.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on your spice preference.
Variation
You can customize this dish by adding other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini. For a different protein, shrimp or cooked sausage can be substituted for the chicken.
FAQs
Q: Can I use a different type of pasta?
A: Yes! You can use any pasta shape you like, such as fettuccine, spaghetti, or farfalle.
Q: Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
A: Yes! Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Just reheat when you’re ready to eat.
Q: Can I make this dish dairy-free?
A: Yes! You can substitute heavy cream with a non-dairy cream alternative and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.
Enjoy making this delicious Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta! It’s a flavorful dish that is sure to impress your family and friends.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 oz penne pasta or any pasta shape of choice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream can use non-dairy alternative
- ½ cup chicken broth or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese can substitute with nutritional yeast for dairy-free
- 1 tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes adjust according to spice preference
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- to taste Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Preparation
- Boil water in a large pot and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water for later.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and dried basil.
Cooking
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet, set aside, and slice it into strips.
- In the same skillet, add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes.
- Then, add chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with the sliced chicken. Toss everything to coat the pasta in the creamy sauce.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese, spinach, and red pepper flakes. Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes, until the spinach wilts and everything is well combined.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Serving
- Serve the creamy Tuscan chicken pasta, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.
