Spicy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Spicy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a bold and comforting dish featuring tender chicken, a creamy sun-drenched tomato sauce, spinach, and a kick of heat from red pepper flakes. It’s restaurant-quality, yet simple enough for a busy weeknight, delivering rich flavors and satisfying textures in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Creamy, flavorful sauce enriched with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan
• Tender, juicy chicken cooked to perfection in the same pan
• Spicy kick from red pepper flakes that you can easily adjust
• Quick to prepare—ready in under an hour with minimal cleanup
• One‑pot meal, fully customizable with your favorite veggies or pasta

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• Olive oil (for sautéing)
• Garlic cloves, minced
• Red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• Sun‑dried tomatoes (packed in oil)
• Chicken broth or stock
• Heavy cream or half‑and‑half
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh spinach
• Pasta (penne, rigatoni, fettuccine)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Optional: fresh basil or Italian parsley for garnish

Directions

this recipe

1. Cook the chicken
   Slice chicken into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and pepper, then sauté in olive oil over medium-high heat until golden and cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.
2. Build the sauce
   In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic and red pepper flakes until fragrant. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and sauté briefly.
3. Add liquid
   Pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in cream and bring mixture to a low boil.
4. Finish the sauce
   Reduce heat, whisk in Parmesan until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Combine and simmer
   Return cooked chicken to the pan. Stir in fresh spinach until just wilted.
6. Add pasta
   Toss in cooked pasta (reserve some pasta water for consistency). Mix gently so sauce coats evenly.
7. Garnish and serve
   Top with freshly chopped basil or parsley and extra Parmesan if desired. Serve hot.

Servings and timing

• Serves: 4–6
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 25–30 minutes
• Total time: ~40 minutes

Variations

• Prawn swap: Use shrimp instead of chicken—cook until just pink
• Vegetable boost: Add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini
• Make it smoky: Substitute sun-dried tomatoes with smoked paprika
• Cheese change-up: Stir in goat cheese or ricotta for added creaminess
• Heat it up: Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce

Storage/Reheating

• Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of broth or cream to refresh
• Not ideal for freezing due to cream content, which can separate when thawed

FAQs

1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes—thighs stay moist and flavorful. Just adjust cooking time as needed.

2. What pasta works best?

Rigatoni or penne are ideal for holding the creamy sauce, but fettuccine or macaroni also work.

3. Should I drain sun-dried tomatoes?

Reserve a bit of their oil for extra flavor. Rinse if you prefer less oil.

4. How can I make it spicier?

Add more red pepper flakes, a pinch of cayenne, or a dash of hot sauce.

5. Is skim milk okay instead of cream?

You can use milk, but the sauce will be thinner. Add an extra tablespoon of Parmesan to help thicken.

6. Can I prep ahead?

Yes—cook chicken and sauce separately. Reheat and toss with pasta before serving.

7. Can this be made gluten-free?

Use gluten-free pasta and ensure your broth is gluten-free.

8. Can I turn this into a vegetarian dish?

Replace chicken with roasted cauliflower or chickpeas, and use vegetable broth.

9. Is it possible to bake this?

Yes—top the assembled dish with mozzarella and broil until bubbly for a pasta bake twist.

10. What sides pair well?

Serve with garlic bread, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad.

Conclusion

Spicy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is the ultimate comforting yet sophisticated meal. With its creamy, spicy sauce, tender chicken, and bright sun-dried tomato flavor, this dish brings a restaurant-grade experience to your home kitchen—easy enough for a weeknight, impressive enough for guests.

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