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Creamy One-Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta

creamy one-pot tuscan chicken pasta - featured image
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A comforting and flavorful one-pot Tuscan chicken pasta recipe with creamy sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach, perfect for quick and easy homemade dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil or drained if dry-packed)
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter option)
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 ounces cream cheese or cottage cheese (optional for extra creamy texture)

Instructions

  1. Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and half of the Italian seasoning.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (about 5 minutes). Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through—about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, cooking for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Avoid burning the garlic.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle boil.
  5. Add the pasta and the rest of the Italian seasoning. Stir well to submerge the pasta. Cover with a lid and reduce heat to medium-low. Let simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  6. Once pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed, stir in the fresh spinach, cooked chicken, Parmesan cheese, and cream cheese if using. The residual heat will wilt the spinach and melt the cheeses, creating a creamy sauce.
  7. Check seasoning and add salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.
  8. Let the pasta sit covered off heat for 2-3 minutes to thicken the sauce further. If too thick, add a splash of broth or cream.
  9. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh basil if desired.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when browning chicken; cook in batches if needed. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Simmer gently on medium-low heat with lid to prevent cream from breaking and pasta from sticking. Stir frequently but gently. Save some Parmesan cheese for garnish. Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for best texture and flavor. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth or cream. For dairy-free option, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and use dairy-free cheese or nutritional yeast. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and adjust cooking time accordingly.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://shimmersnack.com/creamy-one-pot-tuscan-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-dinner-ideas/