Description
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a delightful Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken breast cooked to perfection and combined with a luscious creamy sauce made from heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, garlic, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and cherry tomatoes. Tossed with your favorite pasta, this rich and flavorful meal is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner that comes together quickly and easily.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Chicken
- 8 oz pasta of choice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb chicken breast, sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce and Vegetables
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
Garnish
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain it well and set aside while preparing the sauce and chicken.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the sliced chicken breast with salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown and no longer pink inside, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
- Prepare Garlic Butter: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Cook Cherry Tomatoes: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook them until they soften, about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally to release their juices into the butter and garlic mixture.
- Add Spinach: Stir in the fresh spinach leaves and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes, incorporating it thoroughly into the sauce base.
- Create Creamy Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Continue stirring over medium heat until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Pasta: Mix in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and the cooked pasta, tossing everything carefully so that the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken slices to the skillet. Stir gently to combine all ingredients and let everything heat through for another 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Serve: Serve the creamy Tuscan chicken pasta hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves for a burst of fresh flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Sun-dried tomatoes can be used either dry or packed in oil; if dry, soak briefly in warm water to rehydrate before chopping.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Fresh basil garnish adds a nice herbal aroma but can be omitted if unavailable.
- For a lower-fat option, reduce the amount of butter and cheese, or use low-fat dairy substitutes.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
