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Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

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A quick and easy creamy Tuscan chicken pasta recipe featuring tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a silky Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights and cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (preferably oil-packed)
  • 3 cups fresh spinach
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 8 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 8 ounces of penne or rigatoni according to package directions until al dente (about 10-12 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat dry chicken breasts and season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  4. Add chicken breasts and cook 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Remove chicken and set aside to rest.
  5. Lower heat to medium. Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and 1 cup heavy cream. Stir well, scraping browned bits from the pan. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  7. Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
  8. Add 3 cups fresh spinach and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
  9. Slice rested chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces. Return chicken and cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat in sauce. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick.
  10. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Warm through for another minute and serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overcook the chicken to keep it juicy. Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for richer flavor. Simmer sauce gently to avoid curdling. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Freshly grated Parmesan melts better than pre-grated. Let chicken rest after searing for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy Tuscan chicken pasta, easy dinner, chicken pasta recipe, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach pasta, creamy sauce, weeknight meal

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