Description
Creamy tuscan chicken pasta delivers a rich Italian-inspired dish with tender chicken and sun-dried tomatoes. Garlic, herbs, and parmesan cheese combine for a luxurious meal you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 3 small), sliced into thin cutlets
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni)
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup chicken broth (or pasta water)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Fresh basil or parsley
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp salt (for boiling water)
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Thoroughly coat chicken cutlets with a robust blend of seasonings, ensuring comprehensive and even coverage.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, carefully searing chicken until golden-brown and crisp, approximately 45 seconds per side. Transfer to a holding plate.
- Cook Pasta: Boil salted water and cook pasta to al dente perfection. Reserve a cup of starchy water before draining, which will assist in sauce consistency.
- Create Sauce Base: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, developing a rich aromatic foundation.
- Build Creamy Sauce: Whisk heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and chicken broth into the skillet, simmering until a smooth, velvety sauce forms. Gently incorporate wilted spinach.
- Combine and Finish: Slice chicken into elegant strips and return to the sauce. Fold in cooked pasta, ensuring complete coating. Adjust sauce texture using reserved pasta water if needed.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese over the dish. Present immediately, showcasing a luxurious Tuscan-inspired pasta creation.
Notes
- Chicken Seasoning Technique: Ensure even and thorough coating of chicken with seasonings by patting cutlets dry before seasoning to help spices adhere better and create a crispier exterior.
- Pasta Water Magic: Saving pasta water is crucial for creating a silky sauce; the starch helps bind ingredients and adjust sauce consistency without losing flavor intensity.
- Searing Secrets: Use a hot skillet and avoid overcrowding to achieve perfect golden-brown chicken with crisp edges, which locks in moisture and develops deep flavor profiles.
- Cream Sauce Balance: Slowly incorporate dairy ingredients and simmer gently to prevent separation, maintaining a smooth and creamy texture without curdling or becoming grainy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 670
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg