Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe for Easy Dinner

When life gets busy and dinner still needs to feel special, Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta comes to the rescue. This rich, comforting dish combines tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a luxurious cream sauce infused with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and parmesan. It’s indulgent without being complicated, elegant enough for guests, and simple enough for a weeknight meal.

This recipe has become a modern classic for a reason. Tuscan-inspired flavors deliver bold taste without requiring a long ingredient list or advanced cooking skills. Everything comes together in one pan after the pasta cooks, making cleanup easy and stress-free.

Whether you’re cooking for your family, planning a cozy date night, or craving restaurant-quality comfort food at home, this creamy Tuscan chicken pasta hits every note—savory, creamy, hearty, and deeply satisfying.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

This recipe isn’t just another pasta dish—it’s a reliable dinner solution you’ll come back to again and again.

First, it’s incredibly flavorful. The combination of garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan, and Italian seasoning builds layers of taste that feel complex yet comforting. Second, it’s versatile. You can customize the pasta shape, protein, or even the creaminess level to match your preferences.

Finally, it’s fast. From start to finish, you’ll have a complete meal on the table in about 35 minutes. That makes it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something warm, filling, and homemade without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients for Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Use high-quality ingredients when possible—simple recipes shine when each component is fresh and flavorful.

Ingredients

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni work best)
• Olive oil
• Unsalted butter
• Garlic cloves, minced
• Sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
• Heavy cream
• Chicken broth
• Fresh baby spinach
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. Season chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning on both sides.
3. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add chicken to the skillet and cook for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and let rest before slicing.
5. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute to release their flavor.
7. Pour in chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet to deglaze any browned bits.
8. Add heavy cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
9. Stir in parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
10. Add spinach and cook just until wilted.
11. Slice the cooked chicken and return it to the skillet.
12. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
13. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
14. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and extra parmesan before serving.

What Makes It “Tuscan” Style?

Tuscan-style cooking emphasizes simplicity, fresh ingredients, and rich but balanced flavors. While traditional Tuscan cuisine doesn’t rely heavily on cream, American-style Tuscan recipes blend rustic Italian elements—like garlic, herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, and greens—with creamy sauces for comfort and indulgence.

This dish captures that spirit while remaining approachable for home cooks everywhere.

Tips for the Best Creamy Chicken Pasta

• Don’t overcook the chicken: Remove it as soon as it reaches a safe temperature to keep it juicy.
• Use freshly grated parmesan: Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as smoothly.
• Control sauce thickness: Pasta water helps create a silky, restaurant-style sauce.
• Season in layers: Season chicken, sauce, and pasta separately for maximum flavor.

Variations to Try

• Low-Carb Option: Swap pasta for zucchini noodles or cauliflower pasta.
• Spicy Version: Add extra red pepper flakes or a splash of chili oil.
• Mushroom Tuscan Pasta: Sauté sliced mushrooms with garlic for an earthy twist.
• Seafood Swap: Replace chicken with shrimp or scallops for a lighter option.

Serving Suggestions

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta pairs beautifully with:

• Garlic bread or crusty artisan bread
• Simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette
• Roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli
• A glass of crisp white wine

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of cream or broth to restore the sauce’s creamy texture.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe for Easy Dinner is proof that comfort food doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s rich, cozy, and satisfying—exactly what you want after a long day. Once you try it, it’s guaranteed to become a regular on your dinner rotation.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

A rich and comforting pasta dish made with tender chicken, creamy garlic sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and parmesan.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Italian-Inspired

Calories: 620

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Pasta and Chicken

• 12 oz pasta penne or fettuccine
• 2 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter

Cream Sauce

• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes sliced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup chicken broth
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 0.75 cup parmesan cheese grated

Equipment

• Large pot
• Large skillet
• Wooden spoon
• Knife and cutting board

Method

 

1. Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and reserve pasta water.
2. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
3. Sear chicken in olive oil and butter until cooked through. Remove and slice.
4. Sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes in the same skillet.
5. Add chicken broth and heavy cream, simmer gently.
6. Stir in parmesan until smooth, then add spinach.
7. Return chicken and pasta to skillet, toss to coat.
8. Season to taste and serve warm.

Notes

Add pasta water to thin sauce if needed.