Description

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a delicious and hearty dish featuring tender chicken breast, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and penne pasta in a rich and creamy Parmesan sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this recipe combines Italian-inspired flavors with a simple stovetop cooking method.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

2 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 tsp Italian seasoning

Sauce

2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
8 oz sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained
3 cups baby spinach
3 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Pasta

1/2 lb penne pasta

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Instructions

Season the chicken: Season the chicken tenders with salt and pepper on both sides for balanced flavor.
Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the seasoned chicken tenders on both sides until fully cooked and golden, then set aside to cool.
Dice the chicken: Once cooled, dice the cooked chicken into bite-sized cubes for easy incorporation into the pasta.
Prepare the sauce: In the same skillet, sauté unsalted butter, minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and baby spinach over medium heat until the spinach wilts and the garlic is fragrant.
Simmer with cream: Add the heavy cream to the skillet and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the cream to thicken slightly.
Season the sauce: Remove from heat and stir in salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and grated Parmesan cheese until fully combined and creamy.
Combine pasta and chicken: Add the cooked hot penne pasta and diced chicken back into the skillet with the sauce. Stir gently to coat everything evenly.
Serve: Serve the creamy Tuscan chicken pasta immediately while hot for the best taste and texture.

Notes

Do I have to add spinach? No, you can leave out the spinach if you prefer, or substitute it with other veggies like broccoli or asparagus.
Can I freeze it? Yes, this pasta freezes well. Store it in an airtight container or ziplock freezer bag for up to 6 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight or in a bowl of water for about 20 minutes, then microwave or heat on the stovetop.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 650 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 520 mg
Fat: 42 g
Saturated Fat: 20 g
Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 38 g
Cholesterol: 140 mg