Creamy One-Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta
A comforting and easy one-pot meal featuring tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and pasta in a creamy Parmesan sauce. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners with minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed preferred)
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat the chicken pieces dry and season lightly with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook 4-5 minutes until golden on one side. Flip and cook another 3 minutes until mostly cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the pan and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and stir for 1 minute.
- Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir and bring to a gentle boil. Add pasta, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir to submerge pasta. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low.
- Simmer pasta for 12-15 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking. Add a splash of broth or water if it looks too dry.
- Once pasta is al dente and most liquid absorbed, return cooked chicken to the pan. Add fresh spinach and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh basil if desired.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken to ensure browning. Stir pasta frequently to prevent sticking. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and melting. If sauce is too thick, loosen with warm broth or cream. Let dish rest off heat for a minute to thicken sauce perfectly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 bowl (1/4 of
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Tuscan chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, one-pot pasta, easy dinner, comfort food, quick pasta recipe