Description
This creamy Tuscan chicken pasta recipe is a quick and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach in a rich cream sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
1.5 lbs Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
12 oz Penne or fettuccine pasta
1.5 cups Heavy cream
1 cup Chicken broth
1/2 cup Sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped
3 cups Fresh baby spinach
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
4 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons Olive oil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1/4 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook your pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving one cup of pasta water
- Season your chicken pieces generously with salt, pepper, and one teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for about 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant
- Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes along with a tablespoon of their oil. Stir for another minute, then pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pa
- Reduce heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream. Stir in the remaining teaspoon of Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes if using. Let this simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly
- Add the fresh spinach and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated
- Return the chicken to the skillet along with the cooked pasta. Toss everything together until well coated. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and fresh basil if desired
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute half the cream with additional chicken broth.
Vegetarians can skip the chicken and add white beans or chickpeas.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 580 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 125mg