Description
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a comforting one-pan dish made with tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and pasta tossed in a rich garlic parmesan cream sauce for a restaurant-style meal at home.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the cubed chicken and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Cook for 6–8 minutes until the chicken is golden and fully cooked, then remove from the pan.
- In the same skillet add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Add the grated parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add the spinach and cook for 1–2 minutes until wilted.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat it in the sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Sauté sliced mushrooms before adding garlic for extra depth of flavor.
- Use rigatoni, fettuccine, or farfalle instead of penne if desired.
- Replace half of the heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce.
- Add roasted cherry tomatoes for a sweeter tomato flavor.
- Grilled shrimp can be added with the chicken for a seafood variation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 640 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
