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Creamy One-Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta

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A quick and easy one-pot Tuscan chicken pasta recipe featuring a creamy, garlicky sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. Perfect for cozy weeknight dinners with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 3 cups chicken broth (low-sodium recommended)
  • 1 cup cottage cheese, blended smooth
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch bite-sized pieces and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Stir constantly and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Add pasta, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir to combine and ensure pasta is mostly submerged. Cover with lid and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is al dente and most broth is absorbed.
  5. While pasta cooks, blend cottage cheese until smooth using a blender or food processor.
  6. Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in blended cottage cheese, grated Parmesan, sautéed chicken, and baby spinach. Mix until spinach wilts and sauce coats everything evenly. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Turn off heat and let pasta sit covered for 2 minutes to thicken the sauce. Stir gently and serve warm with extra Parmesan on top.

Notes

Blending the cottage cheese is key for a silky sauce texture. Use chicken broth instead of water for richer flavor. Stir pasta occasionally to prevent sticking. Adjust seasoning gradually. For dairy-free, substitute cottage cheese with creamy coconut yogurt and use vegan Parmesan or nutritional yeast. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. Leftovers store well refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat with a splash of broth or water. Freezing is possible but spinach texture may change.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, one-pot pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, garlicky pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach pasta

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/creamy-one-pot-tuscan-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-perfect-dinner-idea/