Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a comforting winter dish with tender chicken, sun dried tomatoes, garlic, and spinach in a rich Parmesan sauce. It feels cozy enough for a cold evening but still easy enough for a weeknight dinner. The creamy sauce coats every piece of pasta, and the tomatoes bring a bright pop of flavor that keeps the dish balanced. This is one of those meals that looks impressive without much effort.
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Nutrition (per serving)
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is one of those dishes that feels rich and comforting while still taking very little time to prepare. The combination of garlic, Parmesan, sun dried tomatoes, and cream creates a sauce that clings to the pasta beautifully. The chicken adds protein, and the spinach brings color and balance to the dish. This recipe works well for weeknights, but it also feels special enough for guests.
The pasta cooks while you prepare the chicken, which keeps the recipe efficient. The chicken is seasoned simply and cooked until golden. It helps build flavor in the pan, and the browned bits add depth to the sauce. The garlic and butter create a fragrant base, and the heavy cream brings everything together.
Here are the full instructions to guide you:
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Boil the pasta until tender. Set it aside and keep a little pasta water for adjustments.
Step 2: Season the chicken and cook it in olive oil until golden and fully cooked. Remove it from the pan and keep it warm.
Step 3: Melt the butter in the same pan and add the garlic. Cook just long enough to release its aroma without browning it.
Step 4: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Step 5: Whisk in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce turns smooth and creamy.
Step 6: Stir in the sun dried tomatoes, spinach, and paprika. Let the spinach wilt into the sauce.
Step 7: Add the chicken back to the pan. Coat it evenly with the sauce.
Step 8: Toss in the cooked pasta and mix until fully combined. If the sauce looks thick, add a splash of pasta water.
This dish is flexible. You can add mushrooms, extra spinach, or a pinch of crushed red pepper if you want more heat. Leftovers warm up nicely, and the sauce stays creamy. The flavors continue to develop as it sits, making it a great next-day lunch as well.
Creamy pastas are always popular in winter because they feel warm and comforting. This version stands out thanks to the sun dried tomatoes and fresh spinach, which add color and brightness. It is simple, satisfying, and reliable, which makes it a solid recipe to keep on your menu rotation.
Recipe
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- Pasta
- 10 ounces pasta (penne or fettuccine)
- Salt for boiling water
- Chicken
- 1 pound chicken breast, sliced thin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt to taste
- Garnish
- Extra Parmesan
- Crushed red pepper (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Boil the pasta until tender. Set it aside and keep a little pasta water for adjustments.
- 2
Season the chicken and cook it in olive oil until golden and fully cooked. Remove it from the pan and keep it warm.
- 3
Melt the butter in the same pan and add the garlic. Cook just long enough to release its aroma without browning it.
- 4
Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- 5
Whisk in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce turns smooth and creamy.
- 6
Stir in the sun dried tomatoes, spinach, and paprika. Let the spinach wilt into the sauce.
- 7
Add the chicken back to the pan. Coat it evenly with the sauce.
- 8
Toss in the cooked pasta and mix until fully combined. If the sauce looks thick, add a splash of pasta water.
Nutrition Facts
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.