There’s something incredibly comforting about a rich pasta that’s packed with flavor and comes together in one pot. This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe hits that sweet spot between indulgence and simplicity — creamy, savory, with tender chicken and vibrant spinach and sun-dried tomatoes that make every bite a little celebration.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I love how this dish combines bold Italian flavors with a creamy sauce that you can whip up without fuss. Trust me, after one bite, you’ll want to make this your go-to comfort food on busy weeknights or cozy weekends.
- One-Pot Convenience: Less mess equals more time enjoying your meal, and it all cooks in the same pot for easy cleanup.
- Rich Creamy Texture: The blend of heavy cream, milk, and Parmesan creates a silky sauce that clings perfectly to every bite of pasta.
- Tender Chicken Meets Fresh Veggies: Adding spinach and sun-dried tomatoes enhances the taste and gives you a delicious, balanced dinner.
- Impress Without Stress: Fancy enough for guests but simple enough for weeknight dinners — a win-win in my kitchen!
Ingredients & Why They Work
These ingredients play off each other beautifully — creamy, savory, and fresh. Whenever I shop, I always grab fresh Parmesan and good-quality sun-dried tomatoes because they really elevate the flavor here.
- Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless work best for quick cooking and slicing into perfect bite-sized pieces.
- Salt & Pepper: Simple but essential — seasoning the chicken upfront locks in flavor.
- Olive oil: Adds richness and helps to sear the chicken nicely without sticking.
- Butter (unsalted): Gives the sauce a silky creaminess and subtle depth.
- Garlic: Minced fresh is a must for that fragrant Italian aroma.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: These bring a concentrated tomato sweetness and a little tang that brightens the creamy sauce.
- Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that pulls everything into a cohesive Tuscan flavor.
- Heavy cream & milk: The creamy base — heavy cream makes it rich; milk lightens it so it’s not too heavy.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated, not the pre-shredded stuff — it melts beautifully and adds nuttiness.
- Penne (or macaroni): Sturdy pasta shapes that hold up well and catch the sauce.
- Baby spinach: Added at the end, it wilts gently for freshness and a pop of color.
Make It Your Way
I like to customize this creamy Tuscan chicken pasta in little ways depending on the mood or what’s around. Feel free to swap in your favorite pasta shapes or tweak the herbs to make it your own.
- Variation: Sometimes I swap the baby spinach for kale for a heartier bite, or add a splash of white wine to the sauce for an extra layer of flavor — it’s delicious!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Perfectly Sear Your Chicken
First, season both sides of your chicken breasts with salt and freshly ground pepper — don’t skimp on this. Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat, then add the chicken. Let it cook undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes until it’s beautifully browned before flipping to the other side. Cook until just done, then remove and slice into inch pieces. This step locks in juiciness and flavor.
Step 2: Build Your Flavor Base
Drop in the butter and let it melt. Then toss in minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Sauté until everything is fragrant—this creates the flavorful backbone of your sauce, so don’t rush it.
Step 3: Creamy Sauce & Pasta Cook Together
Add the heavy cream, milk, and freshly grated Parmesan, stirring to combine. Then pour in your uncooked pasta and stir. Simmer gently for about 10 minutes, stirring every now and then to prevent sticking. The pasta cooks right in the sauce — absorbing all that creamy flavor and thickening the mixture beautifully.
Step 4: Finish with Chicken & Spinach
Toss your sliced chicken and fresh baby spinach back into the pot. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until the chicken is heated through and the spinach has just wilted. Now your meal is ready to serve warm — creamy, hearty, and irresistibly good.
Top Tip
Having made this recipe a bunch of times, I learned the small details can really elevate your dish. My best tips come from those little moments when something could have gone wrong but didn’t—because of one simple trick.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When searing chicken, give it space to brown properly for that gorgeous crust — crowded chicken steams instead.
- Use Fresh Parmesan: Store-bought pre-grated cheese often contains additives that prevent melting smoothly. Freshly grated Parmesan blends seamlessly and adds that perfect nutty finish.
- Stir the Pasta Occasionally: Because the pasta cooks right in the sauce, occasional stirring prevents sticking and helps the sauce thicken evenly.
- Don’t Skip the Spinach: It adds freshness and lightness that balances the creamy sauce perfectly — plus it’s sneaky nutrition!
How to Serve Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle a little extra Parmesan on top, maybe a pinch of freshly cracked black pepper and a few torn basil leaves when I have them. Sometimes a squeeze of lemon juice brightens all the flavors just before serving — it never fails.
Side Dishes
This pasta is pretty filling on its own, but I love pairing it with a crisp green salad or some garlic bread to sop up that luscious sauce. Roasted vegetables also work great if you want to add more texture and color to your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special dinner, I’ve served this creamy Tuscan chicken pasta in individual ramekins, topped with a little fresh herb sprig and a thin Parmesan crisp on the side. It makes a stunning presentation that’s sure to impress guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the fridge, where it keeps well for 2 to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat it again, just add a splash of milk while reheating to loosen the sauce and keep it creamy.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this dish a couple times with decent results — just freeze in portion-sized airtight containers. When reheating, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm gently on the stove with a little extra milk or cream to bring back that silky texture.
Reheating
The best way to reheat is on low heat in a skillet on the stove. Add a splash of milk or cream and stir frequently, so the sauce loosens up and the pasta doesn’t dry out. Microwave works too but stirring midway really helps.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While penne or macaroni are recommended because they hold the sauce well, you can use fusilli, rotini, or even fettuccine depending on your preference. Just keep in mind that cooking times might vary slightly.
If you want a lighter sauce, you can reduce the amount of heavy cream and increase milk or use half-and-half. Also, reducing the amount of butter slightly can help. Adding more spinach or other veggies can balance richness too.
Yes, this recipe works well for meal prep. Store portions in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a little milk to refresh the sauce. It’s a convenient and delicious option for packed lunches or quick dinners.
Definitely! This dish is versatile. You can substitute chicken with turkey breast, shrimp, or even tofu for a vegetarian twist. Just adjust cooking times accordingly, especially for seafood or plant-based proteins.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe really holds a special place in my meal rotation because it feels like a warm hug on a plate — rich, comforting, and surprisingly easy to make. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it just as much as I do. Give it a try, and soon it might become your favorite weeknight dinner too!
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Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a comforting one-pot meal combining tender chicken breasts, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and penne pasta in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce infused with Italian seasoning. It's perfect for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner bursting with Italian flavors.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 pounds chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce and Pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained, roughly chopped)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 ounces penne pasta (uncooked)
- 3 cups baby spinach
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt and freshly ground pepper on both sides. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or braiser over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 4 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and cut into 1-inch pieces. Set aside.
- Make Sauce: Reduce heat to medium and add the butter to the same pot. Melt the butter then add the minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Sauté until fragrant and aromatic, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Cook Pasta in Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream, milk, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese until combined. Add the uncooked penne pasta and stir well. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened.
- Finish Dish: Return the cut chicken pieces to the pot along with the baby spinach. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until the chicken is warmed through and the spinach has wilted.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy Tuscan chicken pasta into bowls and serve warm immediately.
Notes
- This dish is best cooked and served immediately for the creamiest texture.
- Substitute penne with macaroni or your preferred pasta shape.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil can be used for added flavor; just reduce the olive oil slightly in the recipe.
- You can add chopped fresh basil or parsley for extra freshness before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 695 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 50 g
- Cholesterol: 181 mg
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