Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 2boneless skinless chicken breasts
approximately 1 pound
- 3 tbspolive oil
divided
- 1 tsppaprika
- 1 tspgarlic powder
- 1 tspkosher salt
- ½ tspblack pepper
- 8 ozrigatoni pasta noodles
cooked al dente according to package instructions
- 4 tbspunsalted butter
- ¼ cshallot
finely diced
- ¼ csun-dried tomatoes
softened in hot water and chopped
- 1 tspgarlic
minced
- 2 tbsptomato paste
- 1 tsporegano
- 1 tsppaprika
- ½ tspgarlic powder
- ½ tspkosher salt
- ¼ tspblack pepper
- 1 ½ cheavy cream
- 1 ½ cmilk
- 1 cfresh spinach
- 1 cparmesan cheese
), grated (plus more for garnish
- 1 ccherry tomatoes
halved
- fresh parsley
- salt and pepper
Directions
Chicken
- 1
Preheat oven to 350°F.
- 2
Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over chicken on all sides and rub it in.
- 3
In a small bowl combine paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- 4
Sprinkle seasoning mixture over chicken on all sides.
- 5
In a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, heat the remaining tablespoon of oil. Once hot, add chicken. Sear for 3 minutes on each side (or until browned). The chicken will not be cooked through at this point.
- 6
Transfer the skillet to the oven and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- 7
Place the chicken onto a plate and tent to keep warm as you prepare the pasta and sauce.
Pasta
- 1
Add rigatoni to a pot of boiling salted water. Cook al dente according to package instructions (about 14 minutes for rigatoni).
- 2
In the same large skillet as you cooked the chicken, melt butter over medium heat. Add shallots and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook until the shallots are softened (3-5 minutes). Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- 3
Add tomato paste, oregano, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- 4
Add heavy cream and milk. Stir to combine.
- 5
Add spinach, parmesan cheese, and tomatoes. Toss to combine. Reduce heat to low and simmer until cheese is fully melted and spinach is wilted, 8-10 minutes.
- 6
Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat.
- 7
Slice or cube the chicken and add to the pasta and sauce.
- 8
Serve topped with more parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Tuscan Chicken Pasta
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About this Recipe
Indulge in Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Perfection
Discover the ultimate comfort food with our Tuscan Chicken Pasta recipe! This delightful dish brings the vibrant flavors of Tuscany right to your dinner table. Imagine tender rigatoni pasta bathed in a rich, creamy sauce, studded with fresh spinach, juicy cherry tomatoes, and savory sun-dried tomatoes, all crowned with perfectly seasoned, baked chicken breasts. It's an unforgettable meal that's both elegant and incredibly satisfying, perfect for a special occasion or a cozy weeknight dinner.
What makes this Tuscan Chicken Pasta truly special is the exquisite balance of flavors. The robust seasonings on the baked chicken — paprika and garlic powder — complement the herbaceous cream sauce, infused with shallots, garlic, tomato paste, and oregano. The combination of fresh and sun-dried tomatoes adds layers of sweetness and umami, while fresh spinach wilts gently into the sauce, providing a touch of freshness. Grated Parmesan cheese melts into the sauce, creating a silky texture that coats every piece of rigatoni beautifully.
Tips for a Perfect Dish:
- Chicken Perfection: Ensure your chicken breasts are evenly thick for consistent baking. A meat thermometer is your best friend to guarantee juicy, not dry, chicken.
- Al Dente Pasta: Cook your rigatoni just until al dente. It will finish cooking slightly in the warm sauce, preventing it from becoming mushy.
- Flavorful Base: Don't rush sautéing the shallots and garlic; they form the aromatic foundation of your incredible cream sauce. Toasting the tomato paste and spices briefly before adding liquids deepens their flavor.
Serving Suggestions & Variations:
This creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or a side of garlic bread to soak up every last drop of that amazing sauce.
- Pasta Swap: While rigatoni is fantastic for holding the sauce, feel free to experiment with other hearty pasta shapes like penne, fettuccine, or orecchiette.
- Add Veggies: Sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or even artichoke hearts would be delicious additions to the sauce for extra texture and flavor.
Enjoy creating this comforting and flavorful Tuscan Chicken Pasta that’s sure to become a family favorite!