Description
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a rich, comforting one-skillet meal made with tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, baby spinach, and penne pasta tossed in a luscious garlic-Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners!
Ingredients
8 oz penne pasta (or ziti, rotini, ditalini)
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
1 tsp dried oregano (or Italian seasoning)
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
1 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3–4 garlic cloves, minced
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, blotted and diced)
1 tbsp tomato paste (optional but recommended)
2 cups fresh baby spinach
½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
1½ cups reduced sodium chicken broth
¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan (plus more for garnish)
Optional: Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat 1–2 tbsp olive oil. Add chicken, season with oregano, salt, and pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes until golden. Set aside (it will finish cooking later).
In the same pan, add more oil if needed. Sauté diced onion until soft, 4–5 minutes.
Add garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Slowly pour in chicken broth and cream. Stir in Parmesan. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Return chicken to the skillet and simmer uncovered for 8–10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce thickens.
Add spinach and cooked pasta. Stir to combine and wilt spinach. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
Adjust seasoning. Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
You can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version.
Substitute sun-dried tomatoes with roasted red peppers if desired.
Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of broth or water.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg