Some meals just have that magical, can’t-stop-eating quality. You take one bite, and suddenly, your day feels a little better. Tuscan Chicken Pasta has everything: tender seared chicken, a lusciously creamy sauce and pasta soaking up all that garlicky, sun-dried tomato goodness. It’s easy to make, full of bold flavors, and the leftovers taste just as good the next day.
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
CHICKEN:
- • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- • 3 Tbs. olive oil, divided
- • 1 tsp. paprika
- • 1 tsp. garlic powder
- • 1 tsp. kosher salt
- • ½ tsp. black pepper
PASTA AND SAUCE
- • 8 oz. rigatoni pasta noodles
- • 4 Tbs. unsalted butter
- • ¼ cup shallot, finely diced
- • ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, softened and chopped
- • 1 tsp. garlic, minced
- • 2 Tbs. tomato paste
- • 1 tsp. oregano
- • 1 tsp. paprika
- • ½ tsp. garlic powder
- • ½ tsp. kosher salt
- • ¼ tsp. black pepper
- • 1½ cups heavy cream
- • 1½ cups milk
- • 1 cup fresh spinach
- • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (plus more for garnish)
- • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- • Fresh parsley, for garnish
- • Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
- • Preheat the oven to 350° F.
- • Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the chicken and rub in. Then, combine paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper and sprinkle over the chicken.
- • In a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, heat the remaining tablespoon of oil. Then, add chicken and sear for three minutes on each side, until browned but not cooked through.
- • Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165 °F. Remove to a plate.
- • Cook pasta to al dente according to package instructions.
- • In the same large skillet over medium heat, melt butter.
- • Add shallots and sun-dried tomatoes and cook, three to five minutes.
- • Add garlic and cook for one more minute.
- • Add tomato paste, oregano, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper, then stir to combine.
- • Add the heavy cream and milk, then spinach, Parmesan and cherry tomatoes.
- • Reduce the heat to low and simmer, 8-10 minutes.
- • Add pasta to the skillet.
- • Slice or cube the chicken and add to the skillet.