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Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 80 reviews

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a rich and flavorful dish combining tender chicken breast, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach in a luscious Parmesan cream sauce, served over perfectly cooked penne or fettuccine pasta. This effortless stovetop recipe is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine work well)

Chicken

  • 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Sauce & Vegetables

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the rest and set aside.
  2. Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper, then add to the skillet. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Prepare Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using, stirring continuously until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
  5. Add Spinach and Chicken: Incorporate the fresh spinach into the sauce and cook until wilted. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat all ingredients evenly with the sauce.
  6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with the sauce and chicken. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the pasta evenly.
  7. Serve: Plate the creamy Tuscan chicken pasta warm, garnishing with extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Use penne or fettuccine as recommended, but other pasta types can also be used.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil will enhance the flavor but drain excess oil before chopping.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes to control the heat level according to taste.
  • Reserved pasta water helps to adjust sauce consistency and allows better adhesion to the pasta.
  • For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, though sauce richness will decrease.

Keywords: Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta, Tuscan chicken pasta recipe, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, quick Italian dinner

Find it online: https://chefmilacook.com/creamy-tuscan-chicken-pasta-recipe/