Cozy Tuscan Chicken Pasta: 1-Pot Dinner

Oh, get ready for pure comfort in a bowl! My Tuscan chicken pasta is just the thing when you need a meal that feels like a warm hug. Seriously, it’s one of those dishes that comes together so easily, usually in just one pot, and it’s packed with all the good stuff – creamy sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and loads of Parmesan cheese coating tender chicken and pasta. I just love how these simple ingredients create something so incredibly rich and satisfying. It’s the kind of meal that feels special enough for company but is honestly perfect for a cozy night in. Drawing from my love for creating approachable, flavorful food inspired by my heritage, this recipe is designed to bring that a little bit of that magic right into your kitchen. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Seriously, this Tuscan chicken pasta is a total game-changer. Here’s why it’s become a go-to in my kitchen:

• Super Quick to Make: Most of the magic happens in about 25 minutes. It’s an absolute lifesaver on busy weeknights when you just need dinner, stat!
• One-Pot Wonder: Less cleanup? Yes, please! Everything cooks together beautifully in one skillet. It makes getting dinner on the table so much less of a hassle.
• Dreamy Creamy Sauce: Oh, the sauce! It’s just luscious and coats every piece of pasta and chicken perfectly. It’s pure Italian comfort food, and it tastes incredibly rich.
• Flavor Explosion: You get that amazing Tuscan taste from the sun-dried tomatoes, fragrant garlic, and salty Parmesan. It’s a symphony of deliciousness!
• Cozy & Comforting: This dish is pure warmth and satisfaction. It’s like a big hug in a bowl, and honestly, the whole family will adore it.
• Family Favorite Guaranteed: Even the pickiest eaters usually devour this. It’s a total crowd-pleaser that’s hard not to love.

Gather Your Ingredients for Tuscan Chicken Pasta

You’re going to love how simple this is! All these delicious ingredients come together for a truly special Tuscan chicken pasta. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized, 1-inch pieces. This makes sure the chicken cooks nice and evenly.
• 1 tablespoon olive oil. Just a little to get things started in the skillet.
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped up. It adds such a great base flavor.
• 3 cloves garlic, minced. Because, well, garlic! It makes everything better.
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained. Don’t drain these – all that juice is pure flavor!
• 1 cup chicken broth. This helps create our creamy sauce.
• 1/2 cup heavy cream. This is where the luscious creaminess comes from, but we’ll talk more about sauces later!
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped. These little gems pack such a punch of tangy, concentrated tomato flavor.
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning. It’s like cheating because it has all the classic herbs you need.
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional). Just a little pinch if you like a tiny bit of warmth.
• Salt and black pepper to taste. Always important for good flavor.
• 5 oz fresh spinach. It wilts down so easily and adds a nice bit of green and healthiness.
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Gotta have that salty, nutty goodness to finish it off!
• 8 oz pasta. I love using penne, fettuccine, or rotini for this; they really catch the sauce beautifully.

SAVE IT

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Alright, let’s get this delicious Tuscan chicken pasta in the works! It’s honestly so straightforward. First things first, get your pasta cooking according to the package directions. While that’s bubbling away, just remember to save about a cup of that starchy pasta water – it’s our secret weapon for the sauce later, so don’t forget it!

Now, grab a big skillet and heat up your olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss in those chicken pieces and cook them until they’re nicely browned on both sides. Once they look gorgeous, just scoop them out and set them aside. No need to wash the skillet!

In the same skillet, toss in your chopped onion and let it soften up. That usually takes about 5 minutes. Then, add your minced garlic and let it get fragrant – just about a minute is all it needs. It’s amazing how quickly these simple steps build flavor!

Now for the creamy sauce base! Stir in the diced tomatoes (don’t drain them!), chicken broth, heavy cream, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and those optional red pepper flakes if you’re feeling a little spicy. Give it a good stir and bring it to a simmer.

Pop that browned chicken back into the skillet. Season it all with salt and pepper, like you normally would. Turn the heat down to low, pop a lid on, and let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes. This is when the chicken really cooks through and gets all tender.

Next, stir in your fresh spinach. Watch how quickly it wilts down – it only takes about 2-3 minutes. It’s like magic! Finally, add your cooked pasta and that lovely grated Parmesan cheese right into the skillet. Give it all a good toss. If the sauce looks a little too thick, now’s the time to add a splash of that reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until it’s just perfectly creamy and coats everything beautifully.

SAVE IT

Tips for Perfect Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Want your Tuscan chicken pasta to be absolutely amazing? Here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up that make a big difference. First off, don’t rush browning that chicken! Getting a nice sear on it adds so much depth of flavor. For the sauce, that reserved pasta water is key – it helps emulsify everything and gives you that perfect creamy coating. And when you add the spinach, make sure the heat isn’t too high; just a couple of minutes is usually all it needs to wilt beautifully right into the sauce.

Ingredient Spotlight: Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Oh, sun-dried tomatoes! They’re like little flavor bombs, aren’t they? They get that intense, sweet, and tangy tomato taste because all the water is removed, concentrating their deliciousness. They add such a unique chewy texture and a burst of sunshine to our Tuscan chicken pasta, really making it sing with that authentic Italian flair.

Variations for Your Tuscan Chicken Pasta

While this Tuscan chicken pasta is pretty perfect as is, I love how easily it can be tweaked! If you’re feeling adventurous, try tossing in some sliced mushrooms or diced bell peppers right alongside the onions for extra veggies. I also sometimes swap in different pasta shapes, like farfalle or even a thicker bucatini, just to change things up. And don’t forget fresh herbs! A sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley right at the end adds such a lovely bright finish.

SAVE IT

Serving and Storing Your Tuscan Chicken Pasta

This Tuscan chicken pasta is pretty wonderful served hot right out of the skillet. I love to top it with a little extra Parmesan cheese and maybe some fresh basil if I have it on hand. It’s hearty enough on its own, but a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette is always a nice touch. If you happen to have leftovers (which isn’t usually the case in my house!), just pop them into an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll keep for about 3 days. To reheat, I usually give it a stir in a skillet with a tiny splash of water or broth over low heat until it’s warmed through and nice and creamy again.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tuscan Chicken Pasta

SAVE IT

Nutritional Estimate for Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Just a friendly heads-up: the nutritional info for this delicious Tuscan chicken pasta is an estimate. It can totally change depending on the exact ingredients you use, like the brand of cream or the type of pasta. So, think of these numbers as a general guideline rather than a strict rulebook!

Tuscan Chicken Pasta

SAVE IT

Print Recipe

Save Recipe Recipe Saved

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

A creamy one-pot pasta dish featuring chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan cheese. A perfect cozy dinner.

• Author: Cat
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 25 min
• Total Time: 40 min
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Skillet
• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 5 oz fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 8 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rotini)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned on all sides. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
3. Add onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
4. Stir in diced tomatoes, chicken broth, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a simmer.
5. Return chicken to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
6. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
7. Add cooked pasta and Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to reach desired sauce consistency.
8. Serve immediately.

Notes

• For a richer flavor, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
• Add other vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers with the onions.
• Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 650
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 700mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 60g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 35g
• Cholesterol: 120mg