The Ultimate Tuscan Chicken Pasta: A Taste of Italy in Every Bite
Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a delightful and full-flavored dish that brings together the best of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. This mouthwatering pasta recipe combines a variety of ingredients to create a harmonious blend of tantalizing flavors and satisfying textures.
Tuscan Chicken Pasta Ingredients and Measurements
To create the perfect Tuscan Chicken Pasta, gather the following ingredients:
- Chicken: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or 4 chicken thighs
- Pasta: 8 ounces (about 227 grams) of penne, farfalle, or fettuccine
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: 1/2 cup (about 75 grams)
- Spinach: 2 cups (about 60 grams)
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- Heavy Cream: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Parmesan Cheese: 1/2 cup (about 50 grams), grated
- Italian Herbs: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
- Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon
Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Follow these simple steps to prepare the tantalizing Tuscan Chicken Pasta:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of olive oil over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add 2 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add 1/2 cup (about 75 grams) of sliced sun-dried tomatoes and 2 cups (about 60 grams) of spinach to the skillet. Cook until the spinach has wilted.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and mix it with the sun-dried tomatoes and spinach.
- Pour in 1 cup (240 ml) of heavy cream and stir well. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until well combined.
- Season with 1 teaspoon of Italian herbs, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
- Serve the Tuscan Chicken Pasta hot and garnish with 1/2 cup (about 50 grams) of grated Parmesan cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the ingredients for Tuscan Chicken Pasta?
How do you make Tuscan Chicken Pasta?
What type of pasta works best for Tuscan Chicken Pasta?
Can I use a substitute for heavy cream in Tuscan Chicken Pasta?
Tuscan Chicken Pasta ingredients
Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a delicious and flavorful dish that combines the best of Italian and Mediterranean flavors. To create this mouthwatering pasta dish, you will need a variety of ingredients that come together to create a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
The main ingredients for Tuscan Chicken Pasta include:
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs are typically used in this recipe. They are seasoned and cooked until tender and juicy.
- Pasta: Choose a pasta shape that can hold up well to the creamy sauce, such as penne, farfalle, or fettuccine.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: These flavorful tomatoes add a rich and tangy taste to the dish.
- Spinach: Fresh spinach leaves wilted in the pasta add a pop of green color and nutrients.
- Garlic: A staple in Italian cooking, garlic adds a savory and aromatic element to the dish.
- Heavy Cream: The creamy sauce is made with heavy cream, which lends a luxurious texture and richness to the dish.
- Parmesan Cheese: A generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty and nutty flavor to the pasta.
Preparation of Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a delicious and flavorful dish that combines the rich flavors of Italian cuisine with tender chicken and pasta. Here is a simple recipe for preparing this mouthwatering dish:
1. Start by cooking the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced chicken and cook until browned and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add sliced sun-dried tomatoes and spinach to the skillet. Cook until the spinach has wilted.
5. Return the chicken to the skillet and mix it with the sun-dried tomatoes and spinach.
6. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer.
7. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until well combined.
8. Season with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs to taste.
9. Serve the Tuscan Chicken Pasta hot and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves.
Cooking the chicken and pasta
To cook the Tuscan chicken pasta, start by cooking the chicken. Season boneless, skinless chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and add the chicken breasts. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per side. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let the spinach wilt.
Cook the pasta separately according to package instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the spinach and sun-dried tomato mixture. Toss everything together to combine.
Finally, slice the cooked chicken and add it to the skillet with the pasta. Stir gently to incorporate the chicken into the dish. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through.
Your Tuscan chicken pasta is now ready to be served and enjoyed!
Making the creamy Tuscan sauce
The creamy Tuscan sauce is the star of the Tuscan Chicken Pasta, adding rich and indulgent flavors to the dish. To make the sauce, start by heating olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Next, add sun-dried tomatoes and chopped spinach to the skillet. Cook until the spinach wilts and the tomatoes soften. This combination adds a burst of vibrant color and a delicious tangy sweetness to the sauce.
Once the spinach and tomatoes are cooked, pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer. The creaminess of the heavy cream balances out the tanginess of the tomatoes, creating a luscious and velvety texture.
To enhance the flavor, season the sauce with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. These herbs and spices add depth and complexity to the dish, elevating it to a whole new level of deliciousness.
The creamy Tuscan sauce is now ready to be tossed with cooked pasta and tender chicken. The combination of flavors and textures will leave you craving for more, making this dish a true crowd-pleaser.
Combining the ingredients and serving
To make Tuscan Chicken Pasta, start by cooking the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breasts and season generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook the chicken until it is golden brown on both sides and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add minced garlic, diced sun-dried tomatoes, and chopped spinach. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the spinach is wilted. Pour in chicken broth and bring it to a simmer. Stir in heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and dried basil. Continue to cook until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
Slice the cooked chicken into thin strips and add it back to the skillet. Stir in the cooked pasta until it is well coated with the creamy sauce. Allow the pasta to simmer for a few minutes to absorb the flavors. Serve the Tuscan Chicken Pasta hot with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
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