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Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe Easy Tuscan Flair Dinner

creamy marry me chicken pasta - featured image

A rich and comforting creamy chicken pasta with a Tuscan twist, featuring sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan cheese. Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or dinner parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound / 450 g), thinly sliced or pounded thin
  • 8 ounces (225 g) pasta of choice (penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni work well)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 12 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup (75 g) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups (60 g) fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) dry white wine or chicken broth
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)

Instructions

  1. Slice the chicken breasts into thin cutlets or strips. Mince the garlic, chop the sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, and grate the Parmesan cheese.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup (120 ml) pasta water, then drain.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook chicken 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  4. Lower heat to medium. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute.
  5. Pour in white wine or chicken broth, scraping browned bits from the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
  6. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Simmer gently, stirring often, until sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Add reserved pasta water as needed for consistency.
  7. Add chopped spinach and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook until spinach wilts, about 1-2 minutes. Return chicken to skillet and coat with sauce. Heat through for 2 minutes.
  8. Toss drained pasta into skillet with sauce and chicken. Mix well to coat. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil and extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for best flavor. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Do not overcrowd pan when searing chicken. For gluten-free, swap pasta with gluten-free variety. For dairy-free, use coconut cream and vegan Parmesan substitute. Fresh garlic is preferred over powder for best flavor.

Nutrition

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