This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is so deliciously flavored. Garlicky and cheesy, it’s easy to make and takes only 30 minutes.
If you love chicken pasta, you should try our cajun chicken pasta and serve it with this Foccacia bread.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta 30-minute dinner
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta looks as good as it tastes. And it only takes half an hour to make! This dish is perfect when you want to make something yummy, but don’t have a lot of time. The flavors come together so well, you’ll love the way the garlic, Parmesan, spinach, and sweet-tart sun-dried tomatoes taste. With a creamy sauce, penne pasta, and chicken, this Tuscan pasta is going to become a family favorite. And it’s even better when you pair it with a tasty spinach salad and some buttery bread and dipping oil.
What will I need to make the 30-minute pasta dish?
- Meat: Boneless skinless chicken tenders
- Vegetables: Fresh spinach, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes
- Pasta type: Penne pasta
- Sauce ingredients: Unsalted butter, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and Italian seasonings.
How to Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
- Cook the chicken. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken tenders with salt and pepper. Pour the olive oil into a cast iron pan and cook the chicken over medium-high heat. Set aside.
- Cube the chicken. Once the chicken is cool, cut it into cubes.
- Make the sauce. Saute the butter, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a pan over medium heat. Cook until the spinach wilts.
- Add the cream. Pour in the heavy cream, stir, and then let it come to a simmer.
- Add the seasonings and cheese. Remove the sauce from the heat and add the salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until everything is incorporated.
- Add the chicken and pasta. Add the chicken cubes and cooked penne pasta, and give a final stir. Serve with some delicious bread on the side.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes, you can make it ahead. Just follow the directions to make the chicken and sauce, and then store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container until you are almost ready to serve the dish. Then, reheat them and add freshly cooked pasta in when you are ready to serve.
Can I use chicken breasts instead?
Yes, you can. Slice the chicken breasts into cutlets before cooking them. This allows the meat to cook faster and also increases the surface area, so more of the chicken gets that crisp, golden brown outside.
Can I omit the spinach?
Yes, you can leave out the spinach if you prefer. You can also substitute it with other veggies, such as broccoli or asparagus.
How to make the Tuscan chicken pasta lighter
If you’d like a lighter cream sauce, then you could substitute Half & Half for the heavy cream. This will keep the sauce creamy, but slightly less rich.
Does it freeze well?
This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta does freeze well, making it a great make-ahead meal. Just place the fully cooled pasta dish in an airtight container or ziplock freezer bag and it will keep in the freezer for about 3 months. To reheat it, just place it in the refrigerator overnight or in a bowl of water for about 20 minutes to thaw. Then, you can either microwave it or heat it on the stovetop.
Watch how to make this chicken pasta
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 garlic cloves 
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 8 oz sun-dried tomatoes in oil drained
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 lb penne pasta
Instructions
Seasong and cook the chicken
- Season the chicken tenders with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Fill a large cast-iron skillet with the olive oil and cook both sides of the seasoned tenders over medium-high heat.
Chop the chicken adn set aside
- Now set them aside to cool, then dice them up into cubes.
Make the creamy Tuscan sauce
- Now make the sauce by sautéing the butter, minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes (oil drained) and spinach over medium heat.
- Once the spinach has wilted, add the cream and let it come to a simmer.
- Now remove from heat and add the salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and grated Parmesan cheese.
Add chicken and pasta in the sauce
- Then add your cooked hot penne pasta and cubes chicken back in. Give it a quick stir and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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Diana says
I fixed this last night for first time. We loved it and I plan to make again for others.
Tha k you
Dina says
You are very welcome Diana! So happy that everyone loved this Tuscan chicken pasta! Always exciting when my recipes are on repeat in people’s homes! Thank you so much for your feedback and support! 🙂
Raven says
This recipe is so versatile and yummy! Made this the other night and it’s for sure going on the regular rotation!
Dina says
That’s incredible Raven! I am so happy to hear that you all loved this recipe so much! 🙂
Laura says
I’m trying this now but cream doesn’t seem to thicken as much as thought it would be but still delicious
Dina says
Hi Luara, the thickness of the cream really depends on the fat percentage of the heavy cream you use. Costco sells 40% heavy cream which is very thick. I am glad that it still turned out delicious though.
Lori says
Do you grate the cheese yourself or use the kind in the green canister?
Dina says
Hi Lori 🙂 I recommend grating your own cheese or buying grated cheese that is in the refrigerated section. I would not recommend any cheese that sits at room temperature. I hope that helps. Let me know how this recipe goes! 🙂
Cristi says
Delicious! Great recipe to build on. We like lots of garlic and a little kick so we always add above what the recipe says. But this is really great!! Going in our rotation.
Dina says
Yay! Awesome to hear this will be a repeat recipe in your home! I’m so happy that you and your family love this chicken pasta! Thank you for your feedback and support! 🙂
jade says
I have made this recipe so many times now, and everyone always loves it! thank you so much 🙂
Dina says
You are very welcome Jade! Thrilled to hear this recipe is on repeat in your home! Thank you so much for your support and feedback! 🙂
Paula says
I have made this fabulous recipe many times…at least once a month since I found it in February of this year. I am making it again tonight which is what reminded me to leave a review for this excellent recipe, it has truly become a family favorite.
Dina says
Paula, that is amazing! I am so happy that you enjoy this pasta recipe so much. I really appreciate you taking the time ti write your awesome feedback 🙂
Tatyana says
Tasty season the chicken and a pinch more salt in the sauce
Dina says
Thank you for the feedback Tatyana!
KayDubb says
Nice and flexible, easy to make. I added cooked bite-sized chicken breast with Italian seasoning as well. The hot paper flakes are a nice addition but people who have a spice aversion, might want to reduce them a bit. Thanks.
Dina says
Thank you for taking the time to write your kind feedback! I appreciate it 🙂
Alexis says
I can’t tell you how good this came out! I added some fresh grape tomatoes, and I cooked the chicken in the oil from the sundried tomatoes. Super creamy and wholesome! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Dina says
That’s incredible Alexis! I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this pasta dish so much. Thank you for taking the time to write your kind feedback 🙂