Creamy 30-Minute Tuscan Chicken Pasta
A quick and easy creamy Tuscan chicken pasta dish featuring tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a luscious cream sauce, ready in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (blend of oregano, basil, thyme)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water, and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the sliced chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Add chicken to the skillet in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning the garlic.
- Pour in 1 cup chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Let it reduce slightly for 2-3 minutes to concentrate the flavors.
- Lower the heat to medium and stir in 1 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Stir gently until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add fresh spinach and cooked chicken back to the skillet. Stir until the spinach wilts and everything is well coated with the sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen.
- Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with the sauce and chicken. Mix well to ensure every piece is coated with the creamy sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or extra Italian seasoning if needed.
- Plate the pasta immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh basil if desired.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan when searing chicken to get a nice golden crust. Stir the sauce gently to prevent cream from breaking. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor. Avoid boiling the cream to keep sauce silky smooth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of the rec
- Calories: 575
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 40
Keywords: Tuscan chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, quick chicken dinner, sun-dried tomatoes pasta, easy weeknight dinner