Why I love this recipe
- Easy and complete meal: making this Tuscan chicken pasta is so easy. Not to mention it’s all made in one pot and you don’t have to worry about making any sides.
- Delicious: It’s packed with creamy goodness and flavor. Everyone will love this pasta recipe, and it promises to be a huge hit.
- Vegetarian-friendly: Make this without the chicken, and you get yourself a vegetarian meal. Just the way I like it. But my kids prefer chicken with it.
Recipe Ingredients
- Pasta of choice: use whatever kind of pasta you already have. You may use gluten-free if needed or lentil pasta for a healthier option.
- Chicken: go with chicken breast for a leaner and healthier option. You may also use boneless and skinless chicken thighs.
- Oil: I used olive oil. You may use avocado oil or grapeseed oil.
- Garlic cloves: I recommend you use fresh garlic cloves and not garlic powder. You may also use the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes.
- Italian seasoning: if you don’t have this handy, use 1/4 tsp of the following seasonings- basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme. Or you can take a look at my homemade Italian seasoning recipe.
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sun-dried tomatoes: use the ones that are packed in oil and not the packets.
- Almond milk: if you don’t have almond milk, use any milk of choice.
- Flour: use any flour you have on hand, or use cornstarch.
- Fresh baby spinach: I prefer that you use fresh spinach. If you want to use frozen, you can, but just thaw and drain first.
- Parmesan cheese: grate your own. You may substitute this cheese with grated Romano Cheese.
How to make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Step 1: add the seasoned chicken in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and continue to cook until cooked through for about 5-7 minutes. Step 2: Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and continue to cook until cooked through about 5-7 minutes. Pour in the flour and milk mixture over the seared chicken. Allow the sauce to bubble for a few minutes to thicken up. It should take no more than 3-4 minutes. Add spinach. Step 3: Once you add the chopped spinach, stir and cook for a few more minutes until wilted. Step 4: Add cooked pasta together with grated parmesan and stir to combine. Enjoy.Recipe Notes
- Pasta: use pasta of choice. Gluten-free, whole wheat, lentil pasta, or chickpea pasta.
- Chicken: I used chicken breast, but you may use boneless thighs. Consider using shrimp instead of chicken if desired.
- Spinach: I recommend using fresh spinach. Frozen spinach can be used, but thaw first and drain to remove excess water.
- You may use other veggies like kale.
- Use fresh garlic or replace it with 1 tablespoon of garlic powder.
- Cook the pasta al dente since it will cook again with everything else to prevent having soft and soggy pasta.
- Store leftover chicken pasta in a container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Servingsservings
Prep timeminutes
Cooking timeminute
Calorieskcal
Total timeminutes
Ingredients
10 ounces short pasta, gluten-free if needed, whole wheat, or lentil pasta 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, chopped into bite-sized pieces 2 tablespoons olive oil, or use the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes 3-4 garlic cloves, minced 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning Kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste 8 ounces sun-dried tomatoes , in oil drained and chopped 3 cups 2% Milk, any other milk, or use lite coconut cream 2 tablespoons gluten-free flour, or corn starch 3 cups baby spinach 1/2 cup Parmesan cheeseDirections
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Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and cook the 10 ounces short pasta according to package directions to al dente.
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Chop 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast into 1-inch pieces and place into a bowl. Stir in the 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3-4 garlic cloves (minced), 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, and Kosher salt and ground pepper.
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Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Stir in the 8 ounces sun-dried tomatoes (chopped) and continue to cook until cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
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Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the 3 cups 2% Milk and 2 tablespoons gluten-free flour until no visible lumps.
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Pour the milk mixture over the cooked chicken in the pan, and mix well to combine. Allow the sauce to bubble for a few minutes to thicken up. It should take no more than 3-4 minutes.
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Once the sauce is done, add 3 cups baby spinach (chopped) and stir until wilted.
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Add cooked pasta together with 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and stir to combine. Enjoy.
Notes
- To make this dish healthier, I used almond milk. But you can use any other milk, heavy cream, or whipping cream if you don’t mind it. Also, be careful not to use sweetened almond milk!!!!****
- Flour: you can use cornstarch in place of flour for a thicker consistency.
I have remade this dish a few times. Some find it bland, maybe because of the almond milk. You can use 2% of full-fat milk. Also, if you are looking for a more creamy texture, use heavy cream or add 1/4 cup of cream cheese while making the sauce. This is meant to be a healthier option. Feel free to modify it. - Pasta: use pasta of choice. Gluten-free, whole wheat, lentil pasta, or chickpea pasta.
- Chicken: I used chicken breast, but you may use boneless thighs. Consider using shrimp instead of chicken if desired.
- Spinach: I recommend using fresh spinach. Frozen spinach can be used, but thaw first and drain to remove excess water.
- Use fresh garlic or replace it with one tablespoon of garlic powder.
- Cook the pasta al dente since it will cook again with everything else to prevent having soft and soggy pasta.
- Store leftover chicken pasta in a container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days
Nutrition Facts
8 servings per container- Amount Per ServingCalories368
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 13g20%
- Saturated Fat 3g15%
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 59mg20%
- Sodium 444mg19%
- Potassium 914mg27%
- Total Carbohydrate 36g12%
- Dietary Fiber 4g16%
- Sugars 1 g
- Protein 27g54%