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Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
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Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a delicious Italian-inspired dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts tossed in a rich, velvety cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and Parmesan cheese, served over perfectly cooked pasta. It’s a comforting, flavorful meal perfect for weeknights or entertaining guests, combining protein, fresh vegetables, and comforting carbs in one bowl.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken & Protein

  • 2 boneless chicken breasts

Vegetables & Herbs

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 3 cups fresh spinach
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, torn

Dairy

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Pantry & Seasonings

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Pasta

  • 8 ounces penne or fettuccine pasta

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove from pan and slice into bite-sized pieces, then set aside.
  2. Sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes: In the same pan, add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and tomatoes are softened but not burnt, unlocking their tangy flavor.
  3. Wilt the spinach: Add fresh spinach to the garlic and tomato mixture, stirring gently until the spinach wilts and softens, about 2-3 minutes. This adds vibrant color and nutrition.
  4. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan: Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously over low-medium heat until the sauce thickens into a smooth, creamy consistency, about 3-5 minutes.
  5. Combine pasta and chicken: Add freshly cooked pasta (drained) to the pan with the creamy sauce, then fold in the sliced chicken. Toss everything thoroughly to coat evenly with the sauce.
  6. Garnish and serve: Remove from heat. Finish by adding torn fresh basil leaves and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top. Serve immediately for a warm, comforting meal.

Notes

  • Use room temperature chicken to ensure even cooking and juicy results.
  • Don’t overcook your garlic; sauté just until fragrant to avoid bitterness.
  • Grate Parmesan fresh for best melting and texture in the sauce.
  • Reserve some pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce if it gets too thick.
  • Let the sauce simmer gently over low heat to prevent curdling.

Nutrition

Keywords: Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta, Italian pasta, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomatoes pasta, Tuscan recipe

Find it online: https://sophiespace.com/creamy-tuscan-chicken-pasta/