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Creamy One-Pot Tuscan Chicken Penne

creamy one-pot Tuscan chicken penne - featured image
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A cozy and easy one-pot pasta dish featuring tender chicken, penne, spinach, and a creamy cottage cheese sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
  • 12 oz penne pasta (regular or whole wheat)
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
  • 1 cup small-curd cottage cheese
  • 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning (basil, oregano, thyme blend)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: red pepper flakes for heat or Greek yogurt instead of cottage cheese

Instructions

  1. Chop chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces, mince garlic, and roughly chop sun-dried tomatoes. Wash spinach leaves.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat until shimmering (about 1-2 minutes).
  3. Add chicken pieces in a single layer and cook 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown but not fully cooked. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. In the same pan, sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Add penne pasta and chicken broth to the pan. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle boil.
  6. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover with lid, and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking. Check pasta doneness around 8 minutes.
  7. Return chicken to the pan and add spinach. Cook 2-3 minutes until spinach wilts and chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
  8. Lower heat to medium-low and stir in cottage cheese and Parmesan cheese. Add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix well to create a creamy sauce.
  9. Simmer for 2 more minutes, stirring to combine flavors. Optionally, sprinkle red pepper flakes for heat.
  10. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh basil if desired.

Notes

If sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth or water to loosen. If too thin, add more Parmesan and cook uncovered briefly to thicken. Stir pasta frequently to prevent sticking. Use small-curd cottage cheese for best texture or blend cottage cheese for a smoother sauce. Chicken breasts can be used but may be less juicy. For dairy-free, substitute cottage cheese and Parmesan with coconut milk and nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot pasta, Tuscan chicken, creamy penne, easy dinner, cozy meal, chicken pasta, quick recipe

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/creamy-one-pot-tuscan-chicken-penne-recipe-for-easy-cozy-dinners/