Creamy One-Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta
A quick and easy one-pot Tuscan chicken pasta recipe featuring tender chicken, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce, and fresh spinach. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner that comes together in about 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed preferred)
- 3 cups fresh spinach, loosely packed
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth (480 ml)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep the chicken and ingredients: Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks, mince garlic, chop sun-dried tomatoes, and roughly tear spinach leaves. Measure out cream, broth, and seasonings.
- Brown the chicken: Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add chicken with salt and pepper. Cook until golden on all sides but not fully cooked, about 4-5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same pan, add minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Stir frequently and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add pasta and liquids: Pour in dry pasta, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Stir to combine. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a gentle boil.
- Simmer and cook pasta: Reduce heat to medium-low, cover with lid, and cook pasta for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Check for tenderness; pasta should be al dente and absorb most liquid.
- Return chicken and add spinach: Add browned chicken and fresh spinach to the pot. Stir until spinach wilts and chicken is cooked through.
- Finish with cheese and seasoning: Stir in grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Sauce should be creamy and coat pasta evenly.
- Serve warm: Remove from heat and let rest briefly before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
If sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth or cream to loosen. For thicker sauce, simmer uncovered longer. Stir pasta gently and frequently to prevent sticking. Use fresh grated Parmesan for best flavor and texture. Use a pan with a tight-fitting lid to help pasta steam properly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Tuscan chicken pasta, one-pot pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach pasta