Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
For the Sauce and Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta, such as penne or fettuccine
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained and sliced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
⏱️ 12 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and dried Italian seasoning.
⏱️ 3 min
- 3
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 8 min
- 4
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sliced sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Stir in the heavy cream and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add the fresh spinach, stirring until it wilts, about 1-2 minutes.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained pasta. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped basil and extra grated Parmesan cheese, as desired.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
For the Sauce and Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta, such as penne or fettuccine
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained and sliced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
⏱️ 12 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and dried Italian seasoning.
⏱️ 3 min - 3
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 8 min - 4
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sliced sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Stir in the heavy cream and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add the fresh spinach, stirring until it wilts, about 1-2 minutes.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained pasta. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped basil and extra grated Parmesan cheese, as desired.
⏱️ 1 min