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Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

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This creamy Tuscan chicken pasta is a comforting one-pot dinner featuring juicy chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a velvety Parmesan sauce. It’s quick, easy, and packed with bold Italian flavors—perfect for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz penne pasta (or rigatoni/fettuccine)
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped (oil-packed preferred)
  • 1 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter sauce)
  • 3 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Chopped fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
  • Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken breasts dry and cut into 1-inch pieces. Season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Let sit while prepping other ingredients.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook until al dente, 9–11 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove to a plate and keep warm.
  4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Scrape any browned bits from the pan into the sauce. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Stir in chopped spinach and let wilt for 1–2 minutes.
  7. Return chicken to the skillet along with cooked pasta. Toss well to coat in the creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Sprinkle in grated Parmesan and red pepper flakes.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil or parsley and extra Parmesan.

Notes

For gluten-free, use GF pasta. For dairy-free, substitute coconut cream and vegan Parmesan. If sauce breaks, add a splash of pasta water and whisk. Prep all ingredients before cooking for smoother workflow. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best texture. Leftovers keep well for up to 4 days and taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan chicken pasta, creamy pasta, one-pot dinner, Italian recipe, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, easy chicken pasta, comfort food, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/creamy-tuscan-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-one-pot-dinner-with-spinach-and-sun-dried-tomatoes/