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Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

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A rich and comforting creamy Tuscan chicken pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a silky sauce made with cottage cheese and Parmesan. Quick and easy to prepare, perfect for cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound / 450 g), sliced thinly
  • ½ cup (about 80 g) sun-dried tomatoes, preferably oil-packed
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach leaves, roughly chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • ½ cup (120 g) cottage cheese, blended smooth
  • ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (basil, oregano, thyme mix)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 8 ounces (225 g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Slice the chicken breasts thinly to about ½ inch thickness. Mince the garlic and roughly chop the sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. Blend the cottage cheese until smooth and set aside.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta water before draining.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken slices in a single layer, season with salt, pepper, and half the Italian seasoning. Cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. Lower heat to medium. In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and sauté garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper flakes, cook for 1 minute.
  5. Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine. Slowly add blended cottage cheese and Parmesan, whisking constantly to melt and create a smooth sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency. Season with remaining Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  6. Return cooked chicken to skillet along with chopped spinach. Toss gently until spinach wilts and everything is coated in sauce.
  7. Add drained pasta to skillet and toss to combine. Warm together for 1-2 minutes to marry flavors.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Optionally, sprinkle with extra Parmesan or fresh basil leaves before serving.

Notes

Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for best flavor; rehydrate dry-packed tomatoes before use. Blend cottage cheese smooth for a silky sauce. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Keep heat moderate after adding cream to avoid curdling. Thinly slice chicken for quick cooking. Spinach should be added last to avoid overcooking.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy Tuscan chicken pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, easy dinner, creamy chicken pasta, spinach pasta, cottage cheese sauce

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/creamy-tuscan-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-dinner-with-sun-dried-tomatoes/