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Creamy One-Bowl Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake

creamy one-bowl Tuscan chicken pasta bake - featured image
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A quick and easy creamy Tuscan chicken pasta bake that combines chicken, pasta, spinach, and a luscious sun-dried tomato sauce all cooked in one dish, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 oz uncooked pasta (penne or rigatoni preferred)
  • 3 cups fresh spinach (about 3 oz)
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 1 cup chicken broth (240 ml)
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 100 g)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 5-7 minutes until golden and just cooked through.
  3. Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes; cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Pour in uncooked pasta, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Stir to combine, ensuring pasta is mostly submerged.
  5. Fold in fresh spinach gently.
  6. Stir in 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese and 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, reserving the rest for topping.
  7. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly and pasta is tender but not mushy. Cover loosely with foil if browning too fast.
  8. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to thicken the sauce.

Notes

Do not rinse the pasta to allow starch to thicken the sauce. Use room temperature chicken for even cooking. Stir spinach and cheese gently to avoid breaking pasta or bruising greens. Adjust liquids if pasta absorbs too much before baking. Resting after baking helps sauce set perfectly. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with almond or coconut milk thickened with cornstarch and use vegan cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan chicken pasta bake, creamy pasta bake, one-bowl meal, easy dinner, chicken pasta casserole, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach pasta bake

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/creamy-one-bowl-tuscan-chicken-pasta-bake-easy-recipe-for-busy-nights/