Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a rich and flavorful dish combining tender chicken breasts with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce, all tossed with your choice of pasta. This comforting Italian-inspired recipe offers a perfect balance of savory and creamy elements, ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner or special occasion.
- Author: mia
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Lactose
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Vegetables & Flavorings
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed or rehydrated)
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Sauce & Pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream or half and half
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 ounces pasta of choice (fettuccine, penne, or rigatoni)
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove from the skillet and slice into strips or bite-sized pieces.
- Sauté the Veggies: In the same skillet, add more olive oil if needed. Add the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, sautéing until fragrant and slightly softened. Stir in fresh spinach and cook just until wilted, ensuring it retains its bright green color.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream or half and half and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and allow it to melt, thickening the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta well.
- Combine with Pasta and Chicken: Add the cooked pasta directly into the creamy sauce along with the cooked chicken. Toss thoroughly to coat each noodle evenly with the sauce and incorporated ingredients.
- Finish and Serve: Stir everything once more to ensure it is heated through. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese or fresh basil if desired. Serve immediately for a flavorful, comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute half and half for heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
- Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor or rehydrate dry ones in warm water before use.
- Pasta shapes like fettuccine, penne, or rigatoni work best to hold the creamy sauce.
- To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For added freshness, garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: Creamy Tuscan Chicken, Tuscan Chicken Pasta, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Italian Chicken Pasta, Sun-dried Tomato Pasta, Spinach Chicken Pasta