Creamy One Pan Tuscan Chicken Pasta (Printer-Friendly)
Flavor-packed chicken pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach in a rich creamy sauce.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
02 - 1 tsp Italian seasoning
03 - 1/2 tsp salt
04 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
05 - 1 tbsp olive oil
→ Pasta & Vegetables
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped (oil-packed preferred)
08 - 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
09 - 8 oz penne or rigatoni (uncooked)
10 - 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
→ Sauce
11 - 1 cup heavy cream
12 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Season the chicken strips evenly with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and mostly cooked through, about 4–5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
03 - In the same pan without wiping, add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add uncooked pasta and chicken broth to the pan. Stir, scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
05 - Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the pan. Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
06 - Lower the heat. Stir in heavy cream, spinach, Parmesan, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens and spinach wilts. Adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Serve hot, garnishing with extra Parmesan if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in a single skillet, meaning less time scrubbing dishes and more time relaxing.
- The sauce uses the starchy pasta water to create a silky texture without complicated techniques.
02 -
- Do not rinse the pasta after cooking or the sauce will not cling to the noodles properly.
- Keep an eye on the pan during the initial simmer to ensure the broth does not evaporate too quickly.
03 -
- Cut the chicken into uniform strips so they finish cooking at the same time.
- Grate your own Parmesan cheese for a smoother melt compared to pre-grated varieties.