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Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

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A comforting and easy-to-make creamy Tuscan chicken pasta featuring garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich sauce that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and sliced into strips
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil, drained but keep a bit of oil)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • ½ cup chicken broth (120 ml)
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups fresh spinach (optional)
  • 8 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta (225 g), cooked al dente
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or mix of dried basil, oregano, and thyme)
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain, reserving ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta water. Set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, season 1 pound (450 g) of sliced chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
  5. Toss in ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes and sauté for 1-2 minutes to release their flavor.
  6. Pour in 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream and ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Let simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  7. Stir in ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
  8. Add 2 cups fresh spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen.
  9. Return the chicken to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together until pasta is coated in the creamy sauce.
  10. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired.
  11. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan and fresh basil leaves if available.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken to maintain a golden crust. Cook garlic gently to avoid bitterness. Add broth slowly to cream to keep sauce silky and avoid boiling cream aggressively. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if too thick. Start pasta and chicken simultaneously to sync cooking times.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan chicken pasta, creamy pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic chicken pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/creamy-tuscan-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-garlic-sun-dried-tomatoes/