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Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Juicy chicken breasts simmered in a rich, creamy Tuscan-inspired sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, tossed with penne pasta. Perfect for a quick and elegant weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces or pounded thin
  • 12 oz penne pasta or your favorite pasta shape
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 2 cups fresh spinach chopped
  • fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large Skillet

Method
 

  1. Cook penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about half a cup of pasta water. Drain pasta.
  2. Pat chicken breasts dry and season generously with salt, pepper, and dried basil.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear seasoned chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  6. Add the cooked pasta and sliced chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
  7. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, fresh spinach, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring, until spinach wilts and ingredients are combined.
  8. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.

Notes

You can use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken or air-fried chicken tenders. Add sautéed mushrooms or cherry tomatoes for more vegetables. Increase red pepper flakes for more spice. For a richer sauce, add a tablespoon of cream cheese.