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Creamy One-Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta

creamy one-pot Tuscan chicken pasta - featured image
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A comforting and easy one-pot meal combining creamy sauce, tender chicken, and rustic Italian flavors, perfect for cozy dinners and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced (packed in oil preferred)
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 8 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • A handful fresh basil, roughly chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: cut chicken into 1-inch pieces, mince garlic, slice sun-dried tomatoes if needed, grate Parmesan, and chop basil if using.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or wide pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium. In the same pot, add minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Stir constantly until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Add uncooked pasta, chicken broth, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir gently to combine.
  5. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Let pasta cook until tender but al dente, about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add water or broth if liquid evaporates too quickly.
  6. Stir the cooked chicken back into the pot along with fresh spinach. Cook uncovered, stirring until spinach wilts and chicken is reheated, about 3-4 minutes.
  7. Remove from heat. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce thickens. Garnish with fresh basil. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  8. Serve immediately for best creamy texture. If sauce thickens too much, loosen with a splash of broth or cream.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when searing chicken to get a nice golden crust. Stir pasta occasionally while cooking to prevent sticking. Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels. Fresh garlic is preferred for best flavor. Add spinach at the end to keep it vibrant and nutritious. Freshly grated Parmesan melts better than pre-shredded. The sauce thickens as it cools; loosen with broth or cream if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, Tuscan chicken pasta, creamy pasta, easy dinner, comfort food, weeknight meal, chicken recipe, Italian pasta

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/creamy-one-pot-tuscan-chicken-pasta-recipe-for-easy-cozy-dinners/