Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Creamy Tuscan Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and chopped
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Season the chicken pieces with garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and allow it to melt. Add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. If using, add red pepper flakes.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Stir in the fresh spinach a handful at a time, allowing it to wilt into the sauce. Continue stirring until all the spinach is incorporated and softened.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet with the sauce. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and the sauce thickens slightly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
⏱️ 5 min
- 8
Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the creamy Tuscan sauce. Garnish with fresh chopped basil and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Creamy Tuscan Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and chopped
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Season the chicken pieces with garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and allow it to melt. Add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. If using, add red pepper flakes.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Stir in the fresh spinach a handful at a time, allowing it to wilt into the sauce. Continue stirring until all the spinach is incorporated and softened.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet with the sauce. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and the sauce thickens slightly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
⏱️ 5 min - 8
Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the creamy Tuscan sauce. Garnish with fresh chopped basil and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 5 min