The Easiest Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Perfectly creamy, rich, and dreamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta, aka Marry Me Pasta, is a one-pot recipe that you are going to love adding to your roster of easy weeknight dinners. This zesty and comforting dish is loaded with chunks of chicken, roasted red peppers, pasta, and spinach, all tossed with a parmesan creamy sauce. Every luscious bite is bursting with tangy flavor! In fact, this meal is so good that leftovers even taste amazing the next day after sitting in the fridge. Yet best of all, it is as simple to make as it is delicious to enjoy. Our Italian-inspired creamy chicken and pasta can be made in less than 30 minutes using just one pot. So you know that prepping, cooking, and cleaning up is a breeze! If you love creamy one-pot pasta dishes like this one, give my Homemade Hamburger Helper and Chicken Alfredo a try!
Ingredients You Need
A handful of simple, quality ingredients are used to make the creamiest, dreamiest Tuscan Chicken Pasta. For this easy one-pot pasta recipe you need:
Butter – unsalted (or olive oil) Garlic – minced Boneless skinless chicken breasts – cut into bite-sized pieces Dried pasta – any medium-size shape you prefer, like penne, pipette, or shells Chicken broth – we recommend low sodium Baby spinach – fresh, tightly packed Heavy cream – for the perfect richness Parmesan cheese – grated or shaved Fresh basil leaves – for the brightest flavor, but can sub with dried basil if needed
How to Make One-Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Loaded with chicken, spinach, veggies, and pasta, this recipe really is a complete meal made in one pot. It’s ready in less than 30 minutes from start to finish, so it’s perfect for even the busiest weeknights! Follow this simple recipe to make our comforting and delicious Tuscan pasta with chicken dinner in just 3 easy steps: Instructions First, set a large sauce pot (or dutch oven) over medium heat/medium-high heat on the stovetop. Add the butter, garlic, and chicken pieces, and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Sauté the chicken pieces for a few minutes, stirring each minute or so, until cooked on all sides but still raw in the middle. Next, add the dried pasta and chicken broth, and stir. Cover and bring to a boil. Stir again, then cover and cook for about 8 minutes, until the pasta is al dente. You want the noodles to be slightly soft but still a touch firm on the inside. (You do not want to drain this pot.) Mix in the chopped roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, baby spinach, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and basil leaves. Stir and gently simmer the chicken and spinach pasta for 3-4 minutes, until the spinach wilts and the sauce thickens.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the pasta warm, topped with shaved parmesan and ribbons of fresh basil leaves. It pairs perfectly with a green side salad and chunks of crusty bread or Homemade Breadsticks! Even feel free to add some red pepper flakes for some heat. Can’t get enough cheesy goodness? Enjoy this creamy pasta and chicken with Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread or Zucchini Parmesan Bread.
Recipe Variations
To make a vegan Tuscan chicken pasta, replace the cream, butter and parmesan cheese with your favorite plant-based alternatives! Enjoy a low carb version of this pasta dish by replacing the noodles with vegetable noodles like zoodles! Tortellini Tuscan chicken pasta can be made by replacing the dry pasta with your favorite stuffed tortellinis!
How to Store Leftover Tuscan Chicken Pasta
This flavorful pasta with chicken gets even better as all of the ingredients sit together! It’s a great make-ahead recipe that’s delicious to include as part of your weekly meal plan… Prepare a large batch for an easy, satisfying dinner, and enjoy leftovers for a quick and hearty lunch or dinner. Store the room-temperature leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat the chicken and spinach pasta in the microwave or on the stovetop.
How Can I Make Gluten Free One-Pot Chicken Pasta?
Simply use your favorite GF-friendly pasta to easily make this a gluten-free recipe!
What Can I Do To Make The Sauce Lighter?
If you are looking to make a less creamy or lighter sauce, you can substitute the heavy cream for half & half. The ratio is the same, and it keeps it slightly creamy and less rich.
Do I Have To Cut The Chicken Before Cooking?
Cutting up the chicken makes it cook faster than cooking it whole. However, if you want to brown the chicken breast whole, you can. Then slice and add the slices to make a pretty presentation. Just make sure that you season the chicken well! You could even use chicken thighs if prefer dark meat.
Could you suggest something other than spinach?
Yes, you can omit the spinach or swap it for chopped kale or swiss chard.
Looking for More Delicious One-Pot Recipes?
One-Pot Spinach Ricotta Pasta Recipe Chicken Bog (Rice Pilaf Recipe) One Pot Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe Instant Pot Italian Chicken Orzo Recipe One-Pot Sloppy Joe Noodle Skillet Recipe Rustic Hungarian Goulash Recipe One-Pot American Goulash Recipe Easy Szechuan Beef Recipe Best Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe Smothered Chicken Recipe (Chicken and Gravy Recipe) Pesto Chicken Tortellini (Baked Tortellini Recipe) Spicy Shrimp Ramen Noodles Recipe Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe (Cheeseburger Macaroni) Carne Guisada Recipe (Con Papas)
Check the printable recipe card below for the nutrition information including calories, carbohydrates, protein, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, potassium, fiber, vitamin c, and calcium percentages. You can also find the prep time, cook time, and total time it takes to make this recipe. Share This Recipe With Friends!
