Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 30 min
🍽 Serves: 4
★★★★★
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Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a delightful blend of savory, creamy, and earthy flavors that make it a must-try dish for pasta lovers everywhere. With its rich sauce and vibrant ingredients, this recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner at home.

Ingredients for Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Olive oil is used to sauté the chicken, adding a slight fruity aroma. Boneless skinless chicken breasts provide lean protein and become juicy when cooked properly. Seasoning with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning brings out a depth of flavor that complements the sauce. Garlic adds a robust, aromatic base to the dish. The heavy cream and chicken broth create a rich and silky sauce, while Parmesan cheese offers a nutty, salty finish. Sundried tomatoes add a sweet-tart flavor, and fresh spinach provides color and nutrients. Finally, your choice of fettuccine or other pasta serves as the perfect base to soak up all the delicious flavors, and a sprinkle of fresh basil gives a fragrant finish.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for extra flavor.
  • If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more chicken broth to thin it out.
  • For a slight kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking the garlic.

Serving Suggestions

This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta pairs beautifully with a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette. A side of crusty garlic bread is perfect for soaking up any extra sauce. For a refreshing drink, try a glass of chilled white wine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While fettuccine is great, penne or bowtie pasta work well, too.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the sauce and chicken in advance. Just reheat and toss with freshly cooked pasta before serving.
Is there a dairy-free option?
You can substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a dairy-free version.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe Walkthrough

Start by cooking your pasta according to the package instructions. Once done, drain it and set it aside. The pasta will be ready to soak up all the creamy goodness later.

Next, take your chicken breasts and season them generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat up some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it's hot, add the chicken. Let them cook undisturbed for about 6-7 minutes per side until they're golden brown and cooked through. Once done, remove them from the skillet and let them rest for a moment.

In the same skillet, toss in the minced garlic. Let it cook for just about a minute until it becomes fragrant. Then, pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring them together. Bring this mix to a gentle simmer.

Add in the Parmesan cheese and whisk until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. It's important to stir continuously to avoid any lumps.

Now, stir in the sundried tomatoes and spinach. Cook until the spinach wilts, which should only take a few minutes.

Slice up the chicken you set aside and return it to the skillet. Toss in the cooked pasta as well, and gently mix everything together until it's all heated through.

Before serving, garnish with some fresh basil for a burst of flavor and color.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to prepare, perfect for weeknight dinners.
  • Rich, creamy sauce that's both comforting and flavorful.
  • Features fresh and wholesome ingredients like spinach and sundried tomatoes.
  • Customizable with your favorite pasta type.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup sundried tomatoes, chopped
2 cups fresh spinach
12 ounces fettuccine or other pasta of choice
Fresh basil, for garnish

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
2. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side. Remove chicken and let rest.
4. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Stir in heavy cream and chicken broth; bring to a simmer.
6. Add Parmesan cheese and whisk until smooth.
7. Stir in sundried tomatoes and spinach; cook until spinach wilts.
8. Slice chicken and return to the skillet along with cooked pasta; toss to combine and heat through.
9. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

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