Description
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is rich, cozy, and full of tender chicken, sun dried tomatoes, spinach, and wide ribbons of pasta. The creamy cheese sauce cooks right around the noodles, so every bite tastes savory and smooth.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large boneless skinless chicken breast, about 1 lb
- 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup dry white wine, or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes, optional
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 ¼ cups half and half
- ⅓ cup sun dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- ½ lb pasta, such as pappardelle
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ¼ cup Romano cheese, grated
- 2 cups spinach
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Cut the chicken into bite size pieces, then toss with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 5 to 7 minutes, turning as needed, until golden and cooked through to 165°F, then transfer it to a plate.
- Start the sauce: Add butter and garlic to the same skillet and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in the wine, tomato paste, oregano, and red pepper flakes, scraping up the browned bits from the pan.
- Cook the pasta: Pour in the chicken broth, half and half, and sun dried tomatoes, then bring to a gentle bubble. Add the pasta and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring often, until the noodles are tender and the sauce thickens.
- Add cheese and spinach: Reduce the heat to low, then stir in Parmesan and Romano until melted. Fold in the spinach and cooked chicken, then cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the spinach wilts.
- Serve warm: Let the pasta rest for 2 minutes so the sauce clings to the noodles. Taste and add more salt, pepper, or cheese as needed.
Notes
Use chicken broth instead of wine for an alcohol free version. Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of broth or half and half so the sauce turns creamy again instead of thick or grainy.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
Keywords: Tuscan chicken pasta