Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
A delightful one-pan dish featuring tender chicken, fresh spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes in a rich creamy sauce, perfect for family dinners.
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.
Notes
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is best served warm. Pair it with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. For variations, consider adding other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini.