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Creamy One-Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta

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A creamy, comforting, and easy one-pot Tuscan chicken pasta recipe that combines juicy chicken, tender pasta, and a rich cream sauce with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach for a quick gourmet dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (preferably oil-packed)
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
  • 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened (or cottage cheese for lighter texture)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (blend of oregano, basil, and thyme)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Optional: fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, mince the garlic, and chop the sun-dried tomatoes. Wash and prepare the spinach. (About 10 minutes)
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat in a large deep skillet. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 4-5 minutes until golden but not fully cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same pan, add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Add the dry pasta and pour in 3 cups chicken broth. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle boil.
  5. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover with lid, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until pasta absorbs broth and softens.
  6. When pasta is almost tender, add browned chicken and fresh spinach. Stir gently, cover again, and cook for 2-3 minutes until spinach wilts and chicken is cooked through.
  7. Lower heat and stir in heavy cream and softened cream cheese. Stir until cream cheese melts and sauce is smooth and velvety (3-4 minutes).
  8. Mix in grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
  9. Let pasta rest off heat for a couple of minutes to thicken. Add a splash of broth or cream if sauce is too thick.
  10. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if available and serve warm.

Notes

Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and juiciness. Avoid overcrowding the pan when browning chicken. Stir pasta occasionally while simmering to prevent sticking. Add spinach last to keep it fresh and vibrant. Let sauce rest off heat to thicken naturally. Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed. For dairy-free options, substitute heavy cream and cream cheese with coconut cream and dairy-free alternatives. Use gluten-free pasta to make the dish gluten-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan chicken pasta, creamy pasta, one-pot pasta, easy dinner, comfort food, chicken recipe, Tuscan recipe

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/creamy-one-pot-tuscan-chicken-pasta-recipe-for-easy-gourmet-dinners/