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Creamy One-Pan Tuscan Chicken Pasta

creamy one-pan tuscan chicken pasta - featured image
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A comforting and easy one-pan Tuscan chicken pasta recipe featuring a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, perfect for quick weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter sauce)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken pieces dry and season with salt, pepper, and half of the Italian seasoning.
  2. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add chicken in a single layer and cook without stirring for 3-4 minutes until golden. Flip and cook another 2-3 minutes until mostly cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium. Add minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes to the same pan. Stir frequently for about 1 minute until fragrant but not burnt.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping browned bits from the pan. Stir in pasta and remaining Italian seasoning. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Partially cover the pan and cook pasta in the sauce, stirring every 4-5 minutes to prevent sticking, for about 12-15 minutes until al dente and sauce thickens.
  6. Add chicken back to the pan along with fresh spinach. Stir gently until spinach wilts and chicken is heated through, about 3-4 minutes.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan until melted and creamy. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Add a splash of broth or cream if sauce is too thick.
  8. Serve warm, garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh basil if desired.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when browning chicken to ensure proper searing. Control heat carefully to avoid burning garlic or curdling cream. Stir pasta gently and allow it to settle between stirs to prevent mushiness. If sauce reduces too quickly, add hot water or broth to keep pasta moist. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and use vegan cheese alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, one-pan pasta, easy weeknight dinner, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach pasta, quick chicken dinner

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/creamy-one-pan-tuscan-chicken-pasta-recipe-for-easy-weeknight-dinners/