Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is a rich and comforting dinner dish featuring tender chicken breast, flavorful sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a luscious creamy sauce made with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Ready in under 30 minutes, this family-friendly recipe combines simple pantry staples with fresh ingredients to create a vibrant, satisfying meal perfect for weeknights or special occasions.
- Author: Judy
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free (use gluten-free pasta)
Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (preferably oil-packed)
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Dairy
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Pantry Staples
- 8 ounces pasta of choice (fettuccine, penne, or rigatoni recommended)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove from the pan and let rest for a few minutes before slicing into strips.
- Sauté Aromatics and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: In the same skillet, add more olive oil if needed. Add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook until fragrant and slightly softened, about 2-3 minutes, to release their rich flavor.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Slowly stir in the heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Let the sauce simmer gently on low heat, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Spinach and Combine: Stir fresh spinach into the sauce until wilted. Return the sliced chicken to the skillet, coating it in the creamy sauce evenly.
- Toss with Cooked Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and add directly to the skillet. Toss everything together thoroughly so the pasta is evenly coated with the flavorful sauce.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for better flavor and softness compared to dry-packed varieties.
- Reserve some pasta cooking water to thin the sauce if needed and help it adhere to the pasta.
- Grate Parmesan cheese fresh for the best melt and taste.
- Simmer the sauce gently over low heat to prevent curdling and ensure creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Italian Chicken Pasta, Quick Dinner Recipe, Family Pasta Dish