Tuscan Chicken Pasta

$- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts - 8 oz fettuccine or your choice of pasta - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 2 cups baby spinach - 1 cup heavy cream - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - Salt and pepper to taste In this dish, the chicken is the star. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cook quickly and stay juicy. Fettuccine adds a nice texture. You can choose other pasta if you like. Cherry tomatoes add sweetness. Baby spinach brings a fresh touch. Heavy cream makes the sauce rich and smooth. Sun-dried tomatoes give a tangy flavor boost. Grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty kick. Olive oil and garlic create a fragrant base. Italian seasoning ties all the flavors together. - Fresh basil for garnish - Additional seasonings and spices Basil is a lovely touch for freshness. You can also play with other spices, like red pepper flakes for heat. This allows you to customize the dish to your liking. {{ingredient_image_1}} To cook the pasta, fill a large pot with water. Add salt to the water. Bring the water to a boil. Add your fettuccine. Cook it according to the package instructions. You want it to be al dente. This means it should be firm but not hard. Drain the pasta and set it aside. For the chicken, season both sides of the breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts to the skillet. Cook each side for about 6-7 minutes. You want the chicken cooked through and no longer pink. Once done, remove it from the skillet and slice it into strips. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and halved cherry tomatoes. Sauté them for about 2 minutes. You want the garlic fragrant and the tomatoes softening. Stir them so they cook evenly. This step adds great flavor to your dish. Next, add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir well to combine everything. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes. This makes the sauce rich and creamy. Now, add the cooked pasta and baby spinach to the skillet. Toss everything together well. You want the spinach to wilt and the pasta to be coated in the sauce. This step brings all the flavors together. Finally, add the sliced chicken back into the skillet. Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until everything is mixed and heated through. You can adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper as needed. Serve the pasta in a bowl, garnishing with fresh basil and extra cheese if you like. This final touch makes it look great and taste even better. To avoid mushy pasta, follow these steps: - Use plenty of salted water. - Stir the pasta in the first minute to prevent sticking. - Cook until al dente, or firm to the bite. - Drain the pasta, but do not rinse. This keeps the starch for sauce. Cooking pasta perfectly helps it hold the sauce better. This gives your dish a nice texture. To keep chicken juicy and flavorful, here’s what to do: - Season the chicken well with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. - Sear the chicken in hot olive oil. This locks in moisture. - Cook until the center is no longer pink. - Let the chicken rest before slicing. This keeps juices inside. Juicy chicken adds great taste to your pasta dish. It balances the creamy sauce perfectly. Adjusting the cream sauce can change the dish. Here’s how: - For a thinner sauce, add more heavy cream or a splash of pasta water. - For a thicker sauce, let it simmer longer. Stir often to prevent burning. - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. The right sauce thickness coats the pasta well. It makes every bite creamy and rich. Serving your Tuscan chicken pasta nicely makes a big difference. Try these ideas: - Use a large shallow bowl for a beautiful spread. - Drizzle extra cream sauce on top. - Sprinkle with cracked black pepper and fresh basil for color. A well-presented dish looks appetizing and makes dining special. Enjoy the compliments! Pro Tips Perfectly Cooked Pasta: Always salt your water before adding the pasta. This enhances the flavor and helps the pasta maintain its texture. Chicken Cooking Tips: Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after cooking. This keeps it juicy and flavorful when you slice it. Spinach Addition: Add the spinach towards the end of the cooking process to retain its vibrant color and nutrients. Cheese Melting: For a creamy texture, add the Parmesan cheese gradually while stirring to ensure it melts evenly into the sauce. {{image_2}} You can make a tasty vegetarian version of Tuscan chicken pasta. Start by replacing the chicken. Use mushrooms or eggplant for a hearty texture. You can also add chickpeas for protein. Replace the heavy cream with coconut milk or a cashew cream for a rich sauce. Add more veggies like zucchini or bell peppers. This way, you keep the dish colorful and healthy. While fettuccine is a classic choice, you can use other pasta types. Penne or rotini works well, too. These pasta shapes hold sauce nicely. You can even try gluten-free pasta if you need it. Just adjust cooking time based on the pasta you choose. Each type gives a unique twist to your dish. To add more flavor, use fresh herbs like thyme or oregano. You can also sprinkle in some red pepper flakes for heat. A little lemon zest brightens the dish, giving it freshness. If you love garlic, add more cloves! Experiment with spices to find your favorite blend. These small changes can make your Tuscan chicken pasta even better. To keep your Tuscan chicken pasta fresh, store it in an airtight container. Make sure it cools to room temperature before sealing. Place it in the fridge and enjoy it within three days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it. Reheat your pasta in a pan over low heat. Add a splash of cream or water to keep it moist. Stir often to avoid sticking and let it heat evenly. You can also use a microwave. Place the pasta in a microwave-safe dish, cover it, and heat in short bursts, stirring in between. Yes, you can freeze Tuscan chicken pasta! To do it right, let it cool completely. Then, portion it into freezer bags or containers. Squeeze out excess air before sealing. It can last for about two months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a rich and creamy dish. It combines chicken, pasta, and fresh veggies. The dish often uses sun-dried tomatoes and heavy cream for flavor. This dish draws inspiration from the sunny region of Tuscany, Italy. You can find it in many Italian restaurants. It is both comforting and satisfying. Making Tuscan Chicken Pasta takes about 30 minutes. You will spend 15 minutes prepping and 15 minutes cooking. This quick time makes it great for busy nights. You can serve it fresh for family or friends. Yes, you can use different cheeses. Mozzarella or goat cheese can work well. Each cheese will change the taste slightly. Mozzarella adds creaminess, while goat cheese adds tang. Feel free to experiment! Tuscan Chicken Pasta can be healthy in moderation. It has protein from chicken and vitamins from spinach. However, it also has heavy cream and cheese. You may want to enjoy it as a treat. Balance it with lighter meals on other days. To make Tuscan Chicken Pasta dairy-free, swap heavy cream for coconut milk. Use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor. You can also skip cheese altogether. This will keep the dish creamy while being kind to your tummy. To sum up, Tuscan chicken pasta is a tasty dish made with simple ingredients. We discussed choosing the right pasta, cooking juicy chicken, and sautéing fresh veggies. We learned to make a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes. Tips on storing leftovers and variations keep this dish flexible. Enjoy experimenting with flavors and methods. I hope this guide inspires you to create your own version of Tuscan chicken pasta. Share this meal with friends and family for a delicious experience. Happy cooking!$

A creamy and flavorful pasta dish with chicken, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients

2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8 oz fettuccine or your choice of pasta
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cups baby spinach
1 cup heavy cream
0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
to taste Salt and pepper
optional Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until cooked through and no longer pink. Remove from the skillet and slice into strips.
In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cherry tomatoes. Sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant and the tomatoes begin to soften.
Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir well to combine, then bring to a gentle simmer. Allow to cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
Add the cooked pasta and baby spinach to the skillet. Toss until the spinach wilts and everything is well coated in the creamy sauce.
Add the sliced chicken back to the skillet, along with the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until everything is evenly mixed and heated through. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Transfer the Tuscan chicken pasta to serving plates. Garnish with fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Serve the pasta in a large shallow bowl, drizzling additional cream sauce on top and sprinkling with freshly cracked black pepper and chopped basil for a pop of color.

Keyword chicken, creamy, Italian, pasta