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Creamy One-Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta

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A quick and easy one-pot creamy Tuscan chicken pasta recipe that combines tender chicken, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich garlicky sauce for a comforting dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil)
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach (or frozen, thawed and drained)
  • 3 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 8 ounces dry penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Red pepper flakes, optional pinch

Instructions

  1. Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks and season with salt, pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning. (5 minutes)
  2. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside. (7 minutes)
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the same pan. Cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. (2 minutes)
  4. Pour in chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to lift browned bits. Stir in remaining Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and pepper. (2 minutes)
  5. Add dry pasta directly into the broth. Stir to submerge pasta completely. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed, about 12-15 minutes. Add more broth if needed. (15 minutes)
  6. Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in heavy cream and softened cream cheese until sauce is smooth and creamy. Add cooked chicken and fresh spinach. Stir until spinach wilts and chicken is heated through. (5 minutes)
  7. Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. (2 minutes)
  8. Let dish rest for 1-2 minutes to thicken sauce. Serve hot.

Notes

Use small-curd or Neufchatel cream cheese for a lighter sauce. Drain excess oil from sun-dried tomatoes but keep 1 tablespoon for cooking oil flavor. Stir frequently to prevent pasta sticking. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta or spiralized zucchini noodles added near the end. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream and cream cheese with coconut cream and nutritional yeast for Parmesan.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, creamy chicken pasta, Tuscan, easy dinner, quick meal, comfort food, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/creamy-one-pot-tuscan-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-perfect-dinner-idea/