Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 12 oz penne pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic
• 0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed)
• 5 oz fresh spinach
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1.5 cups heavy cream
• 0.75 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes

How to make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

1. Cook the 12 ounces of penne pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
2. While the pasta cooks, slice the 1.5 pounds of chicken breasts horizontally to create thinner cutlets, about 1/2-inch thick. Season both sides with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken cutlets and sear for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes (drained from oil) to the same skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
5. Pour in 1 cup of chicken broth, bringing it to a gentle simmer. Continue to scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze and incorporate all the flavorful bits.
6. Stir in 1.5 cups of heavy cream, 3/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the sauce to a low simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
7. Add the 5 ounces of fresh spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes or until the spinach has fully wilted into the sauce.
8. Slice the cooked chicken breasts into strips or cubes. Return the sliced chicken to the skillet with the sauce.
9. Finally, add the drained penne pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are well coated in the creamy Tuscan sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
10. Serve the Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese or fresh basil if desired.

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