Description
A creamy, flavorful Tuscan Chicken Pasta recipe featuring tender chicken breast, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce, all tossed with penne pasta for a comforting and delicious meal ready in 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Pasta and Vegetables
- 8 oz penne pasta, cooked and drained
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
Garnish
- Fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook the chicken in the skillet for about 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Add the Cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Continue simmering the sauce for about 5 minutes until it thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked penne pasta, cooked chicken, and chopped fresh spinach to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated and the spinach begins to wilt.
- Serve: Garnish the pasta with chopped fresh basil and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use sundried tomatoes packed in oil for richer flavor.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but sauce may be less thick.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes based on your heat preference.
- Fresh spinach can be replaced with kale or arugula if desired.
- Parmesan cheese can be grated fresh for best taste.
