Print

Quick Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta: Easy 30-Minute Dinner

creamy tuscan chicken pasta - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy weeknight dinner featuring tender chicken, creamy Tuscan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, all tossed with pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (about 680g)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (5g)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper (2g)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (3g)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (2g)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
  • 12 ounces pasta (340g), such as fettuccine, penne, or rigatoni
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 12g)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240ml)
  • ½ cup chicken broth (120ml)
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (55g)
  • 3 cups fresh spinach (90g)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (50g)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, 1g)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain and set aside.
  2. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C).
  4. Remove chicken from skillet and let rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes. Slice into strips or bite-sized pieces.
  5. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
  6. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  7. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper flakes (if using). Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens slightly.
  8. Stir in fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
  9. Reduce heat to low. Gradually sprinkle in grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  10. Add cooked pasta and sliced chicken to the skillet. Toss until evenly coated. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a splash at a time until desired consistency.
  11. Remove from heat. Garnish with fresh basil if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t boil the cream sauce; a gentle simmer prevents separation. Add Parmesan gradually to avoid lumps. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Let chicken rest before slicing for juiciness.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy Tuscan chicken pasta, quick dinner, 30-minute meal, chicken pasta, Tuscan chicken

Find it online: https://oracooks.com/quick-creamy-tuscan-chicken-pasta-easy-30-minute-dinner/