There’s something truly magical about Tuscan Chicken Pasta — it’s that one-pot wonder that lands somewhere between hearty comfort food and elegant dinner party fare. Picture tender bites of chicken mingling with sun-dried tomatoes, baby spinach, and swirls of creamy Parmesan sauce, all wrapped around perfectly cooked pasta. It’s rich but not heavy, easy to make yet impressive, and delivers big, vibrant flavors with every forkful. Whether you need a weeknight hero or a dish to wow your friends, Tuscan Chicken Pasta checks every box and then some.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

While Tuscan Chicken Pasta looks and tastes like a fancy restaurant meal, it relies on a handful of straightforward, everyday ingredients. Each one pulls its own weight, contributing delicious flavor, creamy texture, or eye-catching color — so don’t skip anything on this list!

Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless, and cut into bite-sized pieces for quick, juicy cooking.
Olive oil: Adds wonderful flavor and helps the chicken get that golden crust; try the oil from your sun-dried tomatoes for a flavor upgrade.
Garlic: Brings a savory, aromatic backbone to the sauce.
Italian seasoning: Infuses classic herb aromas that tie the whole pasta together.
Paprika: Lends both subtle smoke and gorgeous color.
Salt and black pepper: The essential seasoning duo that sharpens all the other flavors.
Sun-dried tomatoes: Offer a sweet-tangy intensity that absolutely makes this dish pop.
Baby spinach: Wilts beautifully into the sauce and adds vibrant green color.
Heavy cream: The secret to that lusciously silky sauce.
Chicken broth: Balances richness with a savory depth.
Parmesan cheese: Melts into the sauce for extra creaminess and nutty sharpness.
Penne or short pasta: Holds the sauce in every nook and cranny — choose your favorite shape!
Fresh basil: Sprinkled on top for brightness and a beautiful finish.

How to Make Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Start by bringing a generous pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook your penne (or preferred short pasta) until just al dente. Don’t forget to reserve about half a cup of that starchy pasta water before draining — it can work wonders for your sauce later by helping it cling to every bite.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

While the pasta is cooking, toss your chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. This step is key: seasoning the chicken directly ensures every single bite is flavorful from the inside out.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken

Heat your olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the chicken pieces and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes, turning as needed until they’re golden and cooked through. Set the cooked chicken aside — but keep those lovely browned bits in the pan!

Step 4: Build the Flavor Base

Toss the minced garlic into your skillet and sauté for just 30 seconds, until fragrant (watch it carefully so it doesn’t burn). Next, stir in those ruby-red sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute, letting their flavor infuse the oil.

Step 5: Make the Creamy Sauce

Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add in the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened — this is when your kitchen will start to smell truly irresistible!

Step 6: Wilt the Spinach

Toss in the baby spinach and give everything a stir. The heat from the sauce will wilt the spinach in moments, folding its vivid green and mild flavor right into the creamy base.

Step 7: Finish and Toss

Return your cooked chicken to the skillet, followed by the drained pasta. Gently toss everything together until the chicken, pasta, and sauce are perfectly united. If the sauce feels a little thick, splash in some of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your ideal consistency.

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Just before serving, shower your Tuscan Chicken Pasta with chopped fresh basil. The burst of herby aroma and color is the finishing touch that makes this dish shine.

How to Serve Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Garnishes

Top your Tuscan Chicken Pasta with even more freshly grated Parmesan and a scattering of chopped basil. For extra flair, add a pinch of cracked black pepper or some delicate ribbons of lemon zest to wake up all those savory flavors.

Side Dishes

You can round out this meal beautifully with a crisp, simple green salad or a loaf of warm, crusty bread — perfect for soaking up any extra sauce. If you want to lean into the Italian spirit, a platter of roasted vegetables makes a colorful and healthy addition.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, try twirling individual portions of Tuscan Chicken Pasta onto plates, then nestle each serving with a generous spoonful of sauce and finish with a basil leaf. Or, serve family-style in your prettiest serving bowl so everyone can dig in together — it’s just as stunning heaped straight from the skillet.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Tuscan Chicken Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator where it will stay fresh for up to three days. The flavors tend to meld and deepen a bit overnight, making for especially tasty leftovers!

Freezing

While the creamy sauce can be sensitive to freezing, you can still freeze this pasta in individual portions if needed. For best results, let everything cool completely, then freeze in well-sealed containers for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat Tuscan Chicken Pasta, add a splash of milk or chicken broth while warming gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Stir often and heat just until hot to keep the sauce creamy and prevent separation.

FAQs

Can I use a different type Main Course

Absolutely! Penne is classic for Tuscan Chicken Pasta, but any short pasta like rigatoni, farfalle, or rotini will hold the rich sauce beautifully. Just be sure to cook your chosen pasta al dente for the perfect texture.

What can I substitute for heavy cream?

If you’d like a lighter dish, you can swap the heavy cream for half-and-half or even whole milk mixed with a tablespoon of flour. Just keep in mind the sauce won’t be quite as rich or thick.

Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Definitely! Use your favorite gluten-free short pasta and double-check that your chicken broth is certified gluten-free. With those small tweaks, Tuscan Chicken Pasta can be friendly for gluten-free diets.

Is there a way to make it dairy-free?

For a dairy-free version, try using coconut cream or an unsweetened oat-based cream alternative, and swap the Parmesan for a dairy-free cheese or nutritional yeast. The sauce will have a different profile, but you’ll still get delicious results.

Can I add extra veggies or swap the protein?

Absolutely! Feel free to add mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers for more veggie power. This Tuscan Chicken Pasta is also delicious with grilled shrimp or even crispy tofu if you’d like to change up the protein.

Final Thoughts

If you love dinners that are as comforting as they are impressive, I can’t recommend Tuscan Chicken Pasta enough. Give it a try the next time you’re craving something creamy, cozy, and packed with flavor — and don’t forget to share it with people you love!

Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.8 from 8 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the rich flavors of this creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta dish that combines tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan cheese in a luscious sauce served over perfectly cooked pasta.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Sauce:

2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced
3 cups baby spinach
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

To Serve:

12 ounces penne or other short pasta
fresh basil, chopped, for garnish

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, then drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
Cook the Chicken: Season chicken with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook in olive oil until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté garlic, add sun-dried tomatoes, then pour in cream and broth. Stir in Parmesan until smooth. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
Combine: Return chicken to the skillet, add pasta, toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed for consistency.
Serve: Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, use the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes in place of some of the olive oil.
This recipe pairs well with grilled chicken or shrimp as protein alternatives.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired