Description
A rich and hearty pasta dish with tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a creamy Parmesan sauce. This Creamy Chicken Tuscan Pasta is comforting, flavorful, and ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: 2 large (about 1 lb) – Lean protein base of the dish.
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons – For searing and adding flavor.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To taste – Essential for seasoning.
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced – Infuses the sauce with depth.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: ½ cup, sliced – Adds tangy sweetness and richness.
- Baby Spinach: 3 cups – Fresh greens that wilt into the sauce.
- Heavy Cream: 1 ½ cups – Creates a silky, luxurious sauce.
- Chicken Broth: ½ cup – Adds savory depth and balances richness.
- Parmesan Cheese: ¾ cup, freshly grated – Melts into the sauce.
- Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon – Brings Tuscan flair with herbs.
- Fettuccine or Penne Pasta: 12 oz – Perfect base for creamy sauce.
- Red Pepper Flakes: ¼ teaspoon – Optional, for a gentle kick.
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Combine Ingredients: Season chicken, sear until golden brown and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes per side. Remove and slice.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: In the same skillet, sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes until fragrant. Add chicken broth and heavy cream.
- Assemble the Dish: Stir in Parmesan and Italian seasoning. Simmer until slightly thickened, then add spinach until wilted.
- Cook to Perfection: Boil pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain. Toss pasta into the creamy sauce.
- Finishing Touches: Return sliced chicken to skillet. Sprinkle with Parmesan and red pepper flakes.
- Serve and Enjoy: Plate generously with garlic bread and fresh basil garnish.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melt and flavor.
- Spinach should be added last to keep it fresh and vibrant.
- Leftovers reheat well with a splash of milk or broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 120mg