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Creamy One-Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta

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A quick and easy one-pot meal combining tender chicken, penne pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a creamy Parmesan sauce. Perfect for cozy weeknight dinners with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound / 450g), cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (preferably packed in oil)
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or mix of oregano, basil, and thyme)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 8 ounces (225g) uncooked penne pasta (or rigatoni)
  • 3 ½ cups chicken broth (low sodium if possible)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter option)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch cubes). Mince the garlic, chop sun-dried tomatoes, and rinse the spinach. This should take about 10 minutes.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large deep skillet. Add the chicken pieces and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Season lightly with salt and pepper as it cooks.
  3. Lower the heat to medium-low. Stir in the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Add the uncooked penne pasta and chicken broth. Stir to combine, ensuring the pasta is mostly submerged. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover with lid and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring halfway through to prevent sticking.
  5. When the pasta is tender and most of the broth is absorbed but some liquid remains, stir in the fresh spinach. Let it wilt for 1-2 minutes, then pour in the heavy cream. Stir and cook for another 2-3 minutes to let the sauce thicken slightly.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and dried Italian seasoning. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. The sauce should be creamy and cling to the pasta.
  7. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

If sauce is too thick, add a splash more broth or cream to loosen it. If too thin, simmer uncovered a bit longer. Avoid overcrowding the pan when browning chicken to ensure good texture. Use fresh Parmesan for best flavor. For dairy-free, substitute cream with coconut or cashew cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese. Can add a splash of white wine or Marsala wine for extra depth. Leftovers keep well refrigerated up to 3 days and freeze up to 1 month.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, Tuscan chicken pasta, creamy pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, chicken recipe, comfort food

Find it online: https://coracooks.com/creamy-one-pot-tuscan-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-dinner/