Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Sauce
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained and chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
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 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain the pasta and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken pieces with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min
- 4
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the heavy cream, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Add the fresh spinach to the sauce, stirring until it wilts, about 2-3 minutes.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add the cooked pasta and toss to combine, ensuring the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce.
⏱️ 3 min
- 9
Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
For the Chicken and Sauce
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained and chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
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 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain the pasta and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken pieces with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min - 4
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the heavy cream, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Add the fresh spinach to the sauce, stirring until it wilts, about 2-3 minutes.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add the cooked pasta and toss to combine, ensuring the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce.
⏱️ 3 min - 9
Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
⏱️ 1 min