Creamy One Pan Tuscan Chicken (Printable)
Creamy chicken pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, all made in one pan.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
02 - 1 tsp Italian seasoning
03 - 1/2 tsp salt
04 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
05 - 1 tbsp olive oil
→ Pasta & Vegetables
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped (oil-packed preferred)
08 - 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
09 - 8 oz penne or rigatoni, uncooked
10 - 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
→ Sauce
11 - 1 cup heavy cream
12 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
# How-To Steps:
01 - Coat chicken strips evenly with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and mostly cooked through, about 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate.
03 - In the same pan, add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add uncooked pasta and chicken broth to the pan. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
05 - Return chicken and any accumulated juices to the pan. Cover and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
06 - Reduce heat. Stir in heavy cream, spinach, Parmesan, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until sauce thickens and spinach wilts. Adjust seasoning to taste.
07 - Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You get a deep, complex flavor without spending hours at the stove.
- Cleanup is ridiculously fast since everything cooks in a single vessel.
02 -
- Do not rinse the pasta before cooking or you wash away needed starch.
- Keep an eye on the liquid level towards the end to prevent sticking.
03 -
- Grate your own cheese because pre-grated varieties contain anti-caking agents.
- Let the dish rest for five minutes off the heat to let the sauce set.