Creamy One-Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta
A comforting and easy one-pot Tuscan chicken pasta with a creamy garlic sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach. Perfect for busy weeknights and cozy dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil preferred)
- 4 cups baby spinach (fresh or frozen, squeezed dry)
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch bite-sized pieces and pat dry with paper towels.
- Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season lightly with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown on the outside but not fully cooked, about 5-6 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium. Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the same pan. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the pan. Stir in uncooked penne pasta and dried Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cover.
- Cook pasta, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent sticking, until al dente and most liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
- Stir in softened cream cheese and grated Parmesan. Add cooked chicken and baby spinach. Stir gently until spinach wilts and everything is coated in creamy sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Remove from heat and let rest covered for 2 minutes to thicken and meld flavors. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Pat chicken dry before searing to get a good browning. Use room temperature cream cheese for smooth sauce. Stir pasta occasionally during simmering to prevent sticking. Add broth or water if sauce is too thick; simmer uncovered if too thin. Spinach should be added last to keep it bright and tender.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1.5 cups
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: one-pot, Tuscan chicken pasta, creamy pasta, comfort food, easy dinner, chicken recipe, pasta recipe, weeknight meal