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Creamy One-Pot Garlic Tuscan Chicken Pasta

creamy one-pot garlic Tuscan chicken pasta - featured image
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A quick and easy one-pot pasta dish featuring tender chicken, creamy garlic sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach, perfect for cozy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil or soaked if dry)
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
  • 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 8 ounces dry penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (blend of dried basil, oregano, thyme)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for about 5 minutes until golden but not fully cooked. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and stir constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute to release flavor.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Stir to combine.
  6. Add dry pasta and stir well. Bring to a gentle boil.
  7. Lower heat to medium-low, cover with lid, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add splash of broth or water if sauce thickens too much before pasta is tender.
  8. When pasta is almost tender, stir in fresh spinach and partially cooked chicken. Cook uncovered for 3-4 minutes until spinach wilts and chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  9. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
  10. Remove from heat and let sit for a couple of minutes to thicken slightly before serving.

Notes

Use room temperature chicken and cream for even cooking. Stir pasta often to prevent sticking. Add cream after broth is hot to avoid curdling. Reserve some Parmesan cheese for topping. If using dry sun-dried tomatoes, soak in warm water before use. Smaller chicken pieces require less sauté time. For dairy-free, substitute cream with coconut or cashew cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Gluten-free pasta can be used as a substitute.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot pasta, Tuscan chicken pasta, creamy garlic pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, chicken pasta recipe, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach pasta

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/creamy-one-pot-garlic-tuscan-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-dinner-idea/