Description
This One-Pan Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender chicken breasts, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, spinach, and Parmesan cheese in a rich sauce cooked together with penne pasta. It’s a comforting, easy-to-make meal perfect for busy weeknights that requires minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breasts
- 3 teaspoons kosher salt (divided or more to taste)
- 4 ounces sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped)
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 8 ounces penne pasta (or any short pasta)
- 4 ounces spinach
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- ¼ cup basil (torn for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large, deep skillet or pan over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Season the chicken breasts with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt on both sides. Cook the chicken in the hot pan until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Tomatoes and Garlic: In the same pan, add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and minced garlic. Cook over medium-low heat for 1 minute, stirring to avoid burning the garlic.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and the remaining 2 teaspoons of kosher salt. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the uncooked penne pasta to the pan. Reduce heat to low, cover the pan, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente, about 11-12 minutes.
- Prepare Chicken Pieces: While the pasta cooks, slice the chicken into ½ inch thick pieces, then cut the slices in half to create bite-sized pieces.
- Combine Ingredients: Turn heat to low and add the chicken pieces, fresh spinach, and grated Parmesan cheese to the pan. Toss to combine and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the chicken is heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the pasta garnished with freshly torn basil leaves and extra Parmesan cheese on the side. Enjoy your flavorful Tuscan chicken pasta!
Notes
- You can substitute penne pasta with other short pasta types like rigatoni or fusilli.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free cream alternative.
- If sun-dried tomatoes are packed in oil, drain well before chopping.
- Adjust salt to taste, especially since Parmesan cheese can add saltiness.
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor garnish.
