Description
Spicy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender chicken breasts with sun-dried tomatoes, baby spinach, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this Italian-American recipe delivers a spicy kick balanced by a smooth sauce, all tossed with penne pasta for a satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Vegetables
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Garnish
- 12 ounces penne or pasta of choice, cooked and drained
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for about 5–7 minutes until it is browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Sauté Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet with the chicken. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add Spinach: Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the baby spinach. Cook until the spinach is wilted and soft, which should take just a couple of minutes.
- Create the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the mixture. Stir continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened, incorporating the cheese fully into the cream.
- Toss Pasta and Adjust Consistency: Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet. Gradually add the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency. Stir well so that the pasta and chicken are evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with fresh basil or parsley if desired for a fresh herbal note.
Notes
- Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce to increase the heat level to your preference.
- For a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to reduce the cook time and simplify the recipe.
