Description
This Spicy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender chicken strips, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach in a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this recipe balances the heat of red pepper flakes with savory Italian seasonings and is easily adaptable for a gluten-free diet.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces penne or fettuccine pasta
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjustable to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Garnish
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- Optional fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken strips, seasoning with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Prepare Sauce: Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Add Cheese and Thicken: Add grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce and stir until it thickens slightly.
- Cook Spinach: Add fresh baby spinach to the sauce and cook until wilted.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until well coated and heated through.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed, then serve the pasta warm, garnished with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- For extra heat, increase the red pepper flakes or add a splash of chili oil.
- You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to make a lighter sauce.
- Try using shrimp instead of chicken for a seafood variation.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.
