Description
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a rich and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breast, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a luscious creamy Parmesan sauce served over perfectly cooked pasta. This quick and satisfying meal combines Italian-inspired flavors with a creamy texture, making it an ideal weeknight dinner for four.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Chicken
- 8 oz pasta of choice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb chicken breast, sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce and Vegetables
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
Garnish
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain it well and set aside to keep warm.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the sliced chicken breast with salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until the pieces are golden brown on the outside and no longer pink inside, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook Cherry Tomatoes: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook until they soften and begin to release their juices, about 3-4 minutes.
- Wilt Spinach: Stir in the fresh spinach and cook until it wilts down, which should take about 2 minutes.
- Make Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, then add the grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Stir continuously until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Pasta: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and then add the cooked pasta, tossing everything together to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
- Combine Chicken: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir gently to combine all ingredients. Let cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Garnish and Serve: Serve the dish hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves for an added burst of flavor and freshness.
Notes
- You can use any type of pasta you prefer such as penne, fettuccine, or rotini.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free cream alternative.
- Sun-dried tomatoes add a distinctive tangy sweetness, but you can omit them if unavailable.
- To make it gluten-free, choose gluten-free pasta.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
