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
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
- 1 teaspoon salt, for pasta water
For the Creamy Tuscan Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained and chopped
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for garnish
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Season the cut chicken pieces with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. 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, or until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
While the chicken is cooking, 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 the pasta.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté 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 the red pepper flakes.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth. Add the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained pasta and toss to combine, ensuring the pasta is well coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
⏱️ 5 min
- 8
Garnish with fresh chopped basil and additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
- 1 teaspoon salt, for pasta water
For the Creamy Tuscan Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained and chopped
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for garnish
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Season the cut chicken pieces with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. 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, or until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
While the chicken is cooking, 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 the pasta.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté 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 the red pepper flakes.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth. Add the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained pasta and toss to combine, ensuring the pasta is well coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
⏱️ 5 min - 8
Garnish with fresh chopped basil and additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 1 min