Description
Indulge in a restaurant-quality meal with this Tuscan Chicken Pasta, featuring perfectly seared chicken breast, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach enveloped in a rich, velvety garlic cream sauce. This elegant Italian-inspired dish strikes a beautiful balance between the vibrant acidity of the tomatoes and the comforting smoothness of heavy cream and Parmesan. Designed for efficiency, this recipe delivers a gourmet dinner experience in under forty minutes, making it the perfect choice for sophisticated yet accessible weeknight dining.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
12 oz penne pasta
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
3 cups fresh spinach
4 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil for searing
Instructions
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the penne pasta until al dente.
Drain the pasta while reserving one cup of the starchy cooking water.
Sear the seasoned chicken breast pieces in a large skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown, then remove and set aside.
Sauté the minced garlic in the skillet until fragrant.
Add the sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet to release their oils.
Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth, adding reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
Return the chicken to the skillet, fold in the fresh spinach, and toss in the cooked pasta until everything is well combined and heated through.
Notes
Use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta for a healthier alternative.
Ensure the Parmesan is freshly grated to prevent clumping and ensure a smooth sauce.
If the sauce becomes too thick while resting, stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Baking
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 125mg