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Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Tuscan Chicken Pasta - featured image
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A quick and easy creamy chicken pasta dish featuring sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a silky Parmesan sauce that delivers rustic Tuscan charm and comforting flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound/450g), sliced into strips or bite-sized pieces
  • 8 ounces (225g) penne or rigatoni pasta
  • ½ cup (packed, about 70g) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • ½ cup (120ml) low sodium chicken broth
  • ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 10-12 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving about ½ cup (120ml) of pasta water.
  2. Pat dry the chicken pieces. Season with salt, black pepper, and ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
  4. Pour in ½ cup chicken broth and 1 cup heavy cream. Stir and bring to a gentle simmer for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Add ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes if using. Stir in ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick.
  5. Return cooked chicken to the skillet and nestle into the sauce. Add fresh spinach and stir gently until wilted (1-2 minutes). Toss in cooked pasta and stir to coat evenly. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  6. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper.

Notes

Do not overcook chicken in the sauce to avoid dryness; searing locks in juices. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Freshly grated Parmesan melts better than pre-grated. For a silkier sauce, add a splash of white wine with broth and reduce before adding cream. Spinach added at the end keeps it vibrant. Variations include using zucchini noodles for low-carb, mushrooms for vegetarian, or coconut cream and nutritional yeast for dairy-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, Tuscan chicken, easy dinner, quick pasta recipe, comfort food, Italian pasta dish

Find it online: https://cooksybite.com/creamy-sun-dried-tomato-tuscan-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-and-delicious-dinner-idea/