Description
A rich and flavorful Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta featuring tender chicken breast, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce, all tossed together with perfectly cooked pasta. This comforting dish is quick to prepare, making it ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 8 oz pasta of choice
- 1 lb chicken breast, sliced
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups spinach
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Fats and Dairy
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to be added later.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the sliced chicken breast with salt and pepper, then cook until golden brown and no longer pink in the center. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook Tomatoes: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook until they soften and release their juices, enhancing the flavor of the sauce.
- Wilt Spinach: Stir in the fresh spinach and cook just until wilted, incorporating its vibrant color and nutrients into the dish.
- Create Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, then add the grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Stir continuously until the sauce becomes creamy, smooth, and well combined.
- Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Pasta: Fold in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes along with the cooked pasta, tossing everything thoroughly so the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
- Combine Chicken: Return the cooked chicken slices to the skillet and stir to combine with the pasta and sauce. Let everything heat together for a few minutes to meld the flavors.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the creamy Tuscan chicken pasta hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Use pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni for better sauce adherence.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a mix of milk and cream.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil can add extra flavor; if using dry ones, rehydrate them in warm water first.
- Fresh basil can be replaced with dried basil or oregano, but fresh herbs provide the best flavor.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of cream or milk.
