Creamy One-Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta
A quick and easy one-pot Tuscan chicken pasta recipe featuring tender chicken, creamy sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach. Perfect for cozy dinners and 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 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed)
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 12 ounces uncooked penne pasta
- 2 cups packed fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and half of the Italian seasoning. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned but not fully cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate.
- Lower heat to medium and add another tablespoon of olive oil if needed. Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Stir for about 1 minute until fragrant but not burnt.
- Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle boil, then add uncooked penne pasta in an even layer. Press down slightly so pasta is submerged. Cover with a lid and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Return browned chicken to the pan. Stir in fresh spinach and remaining Italian seasoning. Cook uncovered for 2-3 minutes until spinach wilts and chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
- Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and add red pepper flakes if desired. Let sit for a minute to thicken slightly before serving.
Notes
If sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth or cream to loosen. Stir occasionally to prevent pasta from sticking. Use moderate heat to avoid scorching sauce. Gluten-free pasta can be used with adjusted cooking time. For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk and cream blend. Spinach can be swapped with baby kale or fresh basil/arugula for seasonal variations.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 30
Keywords: Tuscan chicken pasta, creamy pasta, one-pot dinner, easy chicken recipe, comfort food, quick dinner