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Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta – Easy One-Pan Dinner Recipe

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This creamy Tuscan chicken pasta is a one-pan wonder ready in under 40 minutes. It features tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a velvety Parmesan cream sauce that clings to every noodle.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs total), sliced in half horizontally
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 12 ounces fettuccine or penne
  • 1 cup reserved pasta water
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and roughly chopped
  • 1½ cups heavy cream
  • ½ cup chicken broth, low-sodium
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cups fresh spinach
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prep your chicken. Lay the chicken breasts flat on your cutting board. Carefully slice each one in half horizontally so you end up with four thin cutlets. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Let them sit for 5 minutes while you get your pan ready.
  2. Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your fettuccine or penne and cook according to package directions until al dente—usually about 8 to 10 minutes. Before you drain it, scoop out 1 cup of that starchy pasta water and set it aside. Drain the pasta, drizzle with a tiny bit of olive oil to prevent sticking, and set it aside.
  3. Brown the chicken. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in your large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the chicken cutlets in a single layer. Don’t crowd the pan—work in batches if needed. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should hit 165°F). Transfer the chicken to a plate and tent it loosely with foil. Don’t wipe out the pan—those browned bits are pure flavor.
  4. Sauté the aromatics. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once it melts, toss in the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant but not browned. You’ll smell that sweet, savory aroma—that’s your cue.
  5. Build the sauce. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to scrape up all those browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let it bubble softly for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon.
  6. Add the Parmesan and spinach. Slowly sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly so it melts smoothly into the sauce. The sauce will thicken beautifully. Add the fresh spinach in handfuls, stirring until each batch wilts before adding more. This takes about 2 minutes total. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of your reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
  7. Combine everything. Slice the cooked chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces. Add the cooked pasta and sliced chicken to the skillet. Toss everything together gently with tongs until the pasta is evenly coated in that creamy Tuscan sauce. If it looks a little dry, add more pasta water a tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
  8. Finish and serve. Sprinkle the red pepper flakes over the top if you’re using them, then garnish with fresh chopped basil. Serve immediately while the sauce is warm and luscious. The pasta will absorb some of the sauce as it sits, so don’t wait too long to dig in.

Notes

Don’t overcook the chicken; use a meat thermometer and pull at 160°F. Reserve more pasta water than you think you need. Keep heat low when adding cream to prevent separation. Taste as you go, as Parmesan is salty. Prep all ingredients before starting. If sauce breaks, whisk in a tablespoon of cold heavy cream off heat.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy Tuscan chicken pasta, one-pan pasta, chicken pasta recipe, Tuscan chicken, easy dinner recipe, creamy pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta

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