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Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

creamy tuscan chicken pasta - featured image
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A quick and easy 30-minute dinner featuring seared chicken, creamy garlic sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach tossed with your favorite pasta. Perfect for cozy weeknights and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
  • 8 ounces (225 g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or gluten-free pasta)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil preferred)
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach (or frozen, squeezed dry)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) white wine (optional, can substitute with more broth)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup (120 ml) pasta water, and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat chicken slices dry and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  4. Lower heat to medium, add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the same skillet. Stir for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
  5. Pour in white wine or chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Let simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
  6. Stir in heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring to a gentle simmer and let sauce thicken for 3-4 minutes.
  7. Add fresh spinach to the sauce, stirring until wilted, about 2 minutes.
  8. Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes if using. Stir gently and let cheese melt, about 2 minutes.
  9. Add drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time if sauce is too thick, until pasta is evenly coated and glossy.
  10. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when searing chicken to avoid steaming. Use room temperature chicken for even cooking. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Add garlic after chicken is cooked to prevent burning. Stir in Parmesan cheese off heat to avoid graininess. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Gluten-free pasta works well for dietary restrictions. Sauce thickens as it cools; reheat with splash of broth or water.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight dinner, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach pasta

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/creamy-tuscan-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-30-minute-dinner-idea/