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Creamy One-Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Creamy One-Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta - featured image
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A quick and easy one-pot pasta dish featuring tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a creamy sauce that feels like a warm, comforting hug.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil)
  • 4 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or substitute half-and-half)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 8 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. Mince garlic cloves and chop sun-dried tomatoes finely. Rinse spinach and set aside.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned but not fully cooked through, about 4-5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same pan, add minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Stir constantly to prevent burning, letting the garlic become fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
  4. Pour in 2 1/2 cups chicken broth and 1 cup heavy cream. Stir to combine, then add the dry pasta. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and a pinch of salt.
  5. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover with a lid and cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 12-15 minutes. Add more broth or water if needed.
  6. Lower heat to medium-low. Add softened cream cheese and stir until melted and incorporated into the sauce. Toss in fresh spinach and cooked chicken pieces. Stir gently until spinach wilts and chicken is heated through, about 5 minutes.
  7. Stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese for a rich finish. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  8. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh basil if desired.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when browning chicken to ensure proper searing. Use room temperature cream cheese for smooth melting. Stir pasta frequently during simmering to prevent sticking. Adjust liquid as needed depending on pasta type. Add spinach and chicken at the end to keep spinach vibrant and chicken juicy. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream and cream cheese with coconut or cashew cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan chicken pasta, creamy pasta, one-pot dinner, easy chicken recipe, comfort food, quick pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach pasta

Find it online: https://evabake.com/creamy-one-pot-tuscan-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-cozy-dinner-idea/