Go Back
- Chicken and Pasta - 2 chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces - 8 oz penne pasta - Vegetables and Seasoning - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 2 cups fresh baby spinach - Fresh salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste - Cream and Cheese - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil - 1 cup heavy cream - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth - 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese - Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional) This dish uses simple, fresh ingredients. The chicken makes it hearty. The pasta adds a fun bite. The tomatoes and spinach bring color and health. Cream and cheese tie it together, making it rich and tasty. You can easily find these items in most stores. By using fresh ingredients, you create a dish full of flavor and nourishment. Sautéing the Chicken Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced chicken breasts. Season them with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook the chicken for about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir often until it turns brown and is fully cooked. Adding Garlic and Tomatoes Next, stir in the minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds. You want the garlic to smell great but not burn. Then, fold in the halved cherry tomatoes. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. This will help the tomatoes soften and release their juices. Cooking the Pasta Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Add the penne pasta and stir everything well. Cover the pot and let the pasta cook for about 10 to 12 minutes. Stir occasionally to keep the pasta from sticking together. Making it Creamy After the pasta is cooked, lower the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well until a creamy sauce coats the pasta and chicken. Incorporating Spinach Carefully fold in the baby spinach. Cook for one more minute. This will wilt the spinach while keeping its bright color. Seasoning and Serving Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning. Add more salt and freshly cracked black pepper if you like. Once adjusted, remove the pot from heat. Let it rest for a couple of minutes. This helps the flavors blend. Serve your creamy Tuscan chicken pasta in wide bowls. Enjoy every bite! Ensuring Perfect Pasta Texture To get the best pasta texture, use a large pot. Fill it with water and add salt before boiling. This helps the pasta cook evenly. Stir the pasta often while it cooks. This keeps it from sticking together. Follow the package instructions for cooking time. Aim for al dente, which means firm but not hard. Achieving a Creamy Sauce To make your sauce creamy, add heavy cream after cooking the pasta. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese next. This creates a smooth, rich sauce that coats the pasta well. Keep the heat low when adding these ingredients. This helps avoid burning the cream and keeps it nice and thick. Suggested Seasonings Italian seasoning brings great flavor to this dish. Add fresh salt and cracked black pepper to taste. You can also try adding red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. Fresh basil leaves make for a lovely garnish and add freshness. You could also add a squeeze of lemon for brightness. Pairing Suggestions Pair this pasta with a light salad for balance. A simple green salad with vinaigrette works well. Garlic bread is also a nice side to soak up the creamy sauce. For drinks, a crisp white wine or sparkling water can enhance the meal. Enjoy your flavorful feast! {{image_4}} You can easily change the chicken in this recipe. Try diced turkey or shrimp for a fun twist. For a vegetarian option, use mushrooms or firm tofu instead. These options still offer great taste and texture. To make this dish vegan, swap the heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream. You can also replace chicken broth with vegetable broth. Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese for a cheesy flavor without dairy. While penne pasta is tasty, other shapes work well too. You can use fusilli, farfalle, or even spaghetti. Each shape adds a unique look and feel to your dish. For a gluten-free meal, choose gluten-free pasta made from rice or lentils. These options cook well and pair nicely with the creamy sauce. You won’t miss the gluten at all! Refrigeration Guidelines After you enjoy your One-Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta, store any leftovers in a container. Make sure it is airtight. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. When you’re ready to eat, check for any signs of spoilage, like off smells or changes in texture. Freezing Instructions If you want to save some for later, you can freeze it. Use a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. This dish can last for about two months in the freezer. When you want to enjoy it again, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. Best Methods for Reheating To reheat, the stovetop is the best choice. Heat a pot over low to medium heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to help loosen the sauce. Stir gently until it is warm. You can also use a microwave. Place the pasta in a microwave-safe bowl and cover it. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between to warm evenly. Maintaining Creaminess To keep the creaminess, always add a little extra cream or broth while reheating. This helps the sauce stay smooth and luscious. Avoid high heat, as it can make the sauce separate and become clumpy. Can I make this dish ahead of time? Yes, you can make this dish ahead of time. Cook it fully, then let it cool. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. When you're ready to eat, reheat it gently on the stove. Add a splash of chicken broth to keep it creamy. How do I make it spicier? To spice it up, add crushed red pepper flakes when you sauté the chicken. You can also mix in some sliced jalapeños or use a spicy Italian sausage instead of chicken. Adjust the heat to your taste for a perfect kick. What can I serve with One-Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta? This dish pairs well with a simple green salad. A Caesar salad adds a nice crunch. Garlic bread is another great choice for soaking up the creamy sauce. You can also serve it with roasted veggies for a colorful plate. This blog post covered easy steps to make One-Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta. We spoke about the main ingredients like chicken, pasta, veggies, and a creamy sauce. You learned how to sauté, cook, and serve this dish. With handy tips and ingredient swaps, you can adjust this recipe to your taste. Storing and reheating leftovers is also simple. Enjoy making this dish your go-to meal for any night!

One-Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Create a delicious and easy meal tonight with this One-Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta recipe! Loaded with tender chicken, vibrant spinach, and juicy tomatoes, this 30-minute dish is perfect for busy nights. The creamy sauce and flavorful Italian seasoning will leave everyone wanting more. Click through for the full recipe and step-by-step instructions to impress your family or guests with this delightful pasta dish!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

2 chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

2 cups fresh baby spinach

1 cup heavy cream

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

8 oz penne pasta

1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

Fresh salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions
 

Sauté the Chicken: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken breasts, seasoning them generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and thoroughly cooked, approximately 5-7 minutes.

    Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, or until the garlic is fragrant and slightly golden, taking care not to burn it.

      Incorporate Tomatoes: Gently fold in the halved cherry tomatoes to the pot, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften and release their juices.

        Cook the Pasta: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Add the penne pasta, stirring well to combine, then cover the pot. Allow the pasta to cook according to the package instructions, generally 10-12 minutes, until it reaches an al dente texture. Stir occasionally to keep the pasta from sticking together.

          Make it Creamy: Once the pasta is cooked, reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, mixing thoroughly until a creamy sauce forms and coats the pasta and chicken evenly.

            Add Spinach: Carefully fold in the fresh baby spinach and continue to cook for an additional minute, or just until the spinach wilts but retains its vibrant color.

              Season & Adjust: Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt and freshly cracked black pepper as needed to enhance the flavors.

                Let it Rest: Remove the pot from heat and allow it to sit for a couple of minutes to let the flavors meld before serving.

                  Vorbereitungszeit: 15 Minuten | Gesamtzeit: 30 Minuten | Portionen: 4

                    - Presentation Tips: Serve the creamy pasta in wide, shallow bowls. For an elegant touch, sprinkle extra grated Parmesan cheese over the top and garnish with fresh basil leaves, adding a splash of color to the dish. Enjoy your delicious creation!