This One Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta recipe is the ultimate family-friendly comfort food! Tender pasta shells combine with juicy chicken, veggies, and warm spices. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s hearty, filling, and easy to make.
Table of Contents
- Tantalizing Tuscan Chicken Pasta
- What Is This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Made Of?
- How to Make This One-Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Optional Variations
- Serving Suggestions
- Common Questions About This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe
- More One-Pot Recipes
- One Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe Recipe
Tantalizing Tuscan Chicken Pasta
If you know us, you know we love one-pot pasta recipes. Quick and versatile, they’re the best weeknight meal, and this creamy Tuscan chicken pasta recipe is one of our go-to recipes! Thanks to our easy method, it’s ready in just 30 minutes and is sure to please.
The Parmesan cheese pairs with heavy cream for a creamy, satisfying sauce that coats the tender noodles. Then, we add sun-dried tomato pesto and spinach for a boost of nutrients and juicy chicken for lots of protein to keep you full.
With carbs, protein, fat, and fiber, it’s a complete meal all in one!
What Is This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Made Of?
Channeling the rich, peppery flavors of Tuscan cuisine, this Tuscan chicken pasta requires just a handful of ingredients including:
- Butter – We recommend using unsalted butter. If preferred, salted butter will work, too. Just make sure to adjust the amount of extra salt included so as not to overpower the dish.
- Garlic – We recommend using fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor.
- Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best.
- Seasonings – Salt, black pepper, and dried oregano add an herbaceous, peppery kick Tuscan flavor is known for having. Then, we love to add a dash of crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
- Pasta – Shellbow pasta is our favorite shape for this recipe. A cross between elbow pasta and shells, its nooks and crannies are perfect for holding all the creamy sauce!
- Veggies – Chopped spinach and roasted red peppers add a pop of color and lots of nutrients.
- Pesto – We use sun-dried tomato pesto for a warm, tangy taste. However, if you can’t find it, regular pesto can be used as well.
- Broth – Low-sodium chicken broth cooks the pasta, infusing extra flavor. If preferred, vegetable broth can be used instead.
- Heavy Cream – This is our secret to a velvety smooth sauce!
- Cheese – Everything tastes better with Parmesan cheese. If possible, we recommend grating it fresh from a block.
How to Make This One-Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe
This Tuscan chicken pasta recipe is the perfect low-maintenance meal for busy weeknights! Follow the steps below, and it’s ready in minutes.
- Cook the Chicken. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Then, add the garlic and chicken. Add the seasonings, and cook until the chicken is no longer pink.
- Combine and Cook. Add the pasta, spinach, roasted peppers, pesto, and broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover, and reduce the heat. Let the mixture simmer until the pasta is al dente.
- Serve. Add the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, and stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy. Top with extra cheese, if desired, and enjoy warm!
Optional Variations
Feel free to experiment with different ingredients to make this creamy Tuscan chicken pasta recipe your own. For example, some of our favorite variations include:
- Pasta – If you can’t find shellbow pasta, any shape can be used. Shells, rigatoni, penne, or rotini make great options.
- Veggies – Try including a variety of vegetables like onions, mushrooms, and tomatoes to add even more nutrients to the dish.
- Protein – We found that chicken breasts take on the flavor of the seasonings really well. However, any protein can be used in this recipe. For instance, chicken thighs, chicken sausage, ground beef, or ground turkey all taste great.
Serving Suggestions
This Tuscan chicken pasta is a complete, filling meal all on its own, but you can never go wrong with an extra side or two, right? Some of the best pairings include:
- Quick Focaccia with Za’atar Seasoning
- Spiraled Cucumber Yogurt Salad
- Manakeesh
- Whipped Feta with Tomato and Cucumber Salad
And, of course, you can’t forget dessert! Top off your meal with a slice of easy tiramisu or cannoli dip.
Common Questions About This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, this pasta will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
Yes! Once cooled, transfer leftovers to an airtight container, and keep them stored in the freezer for up to 6 months. To enjoy, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, and warm it in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Yes, feel free to use any gluten-free pasta you like best. However, we have noticed that gluten-free pasta tends to become a bit mushier. So, just keep this in mind as you cook!
More One-Pot Recipes
If you enjoy this one-pot creamy Tuscan chicken pasta recipe, you won’t want to miss out on more of our family-friendly one-pot meals below!
- One Pot Spinach and Artichoke Pasta
- One Pot Taco Pasta
- One Pot Pizza Pasta
- Cheddar Cheese Herb Chicken
One Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound chicken breast, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 16 ounces uncooked shellbow pasta
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
- 2 Tablespoons sun-dried tomato pesto
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven on medium-high heat add the butter. Once melted, add the garlic and chicken. Be sure that this chicken is in a single layer. Work in batches, if needed so as not to overcrowd the chicken.
- Add the salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, and crushed red pepper, if using. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink.
- Add the uncooked pasta, spinach, roasted peppers, sun-dried tomato pesto, and broth. Bring the ingredients to a boil over high heat. Cover, and reduce the heat to low for 12-14 minutes or until pasta is al-dente.
- Add the heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, stirring to combine.
- Serve warm!
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Video
Equipment
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’ve made this dish several times and OH MY GOSH!! So good every time! The first time I made this my husband realized how good I am at cooking haha! Usually he’s the good cook but since finding your, page I am too!
Hi Jill! Ha- this is amazing! You are a great cook! xo, Alia & Radwa
Sooo tasty and easy to make!
I’m new to Food Dolls and so glad I found you! Made this for dinner today and it was a hit with the whole family!! I followed the recipe exactly, and it came out great! Thanks for a great recipe, and I love your videos!
Yay! We are so glad to have you here! Glad the recipe was a hit <3
My daughter-in-law fixed this for dinner tonight and it was absolutely delicious! I will definitely make it in the future. She has fixed other recipes of yours as well, and all have been keepers. My only other comment is that it would be great if nutrition info could be figured and listed as well.
I have now made this twice in 2 weeks. Everyone in my house loved it including a picky toddler. Besides tasting great fresh and as leftovers it could not be easier to make which makes this busy mom so happy. My cousins tried it too and we’re so glad I shared the recipe with them. The flavor of the roasted peppers and tomato pesto is perfect.
Definitely a new favorite! We couldn’t find sun dried tomato pesto at the store so made our own at home, but other than that it was perfect. Super easy to make. I’m a novice in the kitchen and I thought this was easy to make.
Omg I just made the Creamy Tuscan Chicken one pot pasta dish n it was most definitely a win in my house tonight. I made a Ceasar salad as well and everyone at the table was saying mmmm mmmm mmm haha I can’t wait to try more!!! Thanks ladies!! Wish I could post a picture…
I forgot to get spinach at the store, so we used broccoli instead! Delicious!
I just made this with Sweet Earth “shredded chicken” and veggie broth as we are vegetarians. It was delicious! Absolutely loved it!
Perfect, love the modification!
I hate to cook and this was very easy and so delicious! I even made a pot for my friend who was sick and she loved it too! I will say prep took me probably 30 mins, not the 10 listed.
So glad you liked it! We will make note of the prep time!
So easy and so delicious!! Just had a baby and finding time to cook has been so hard. Thank goodness for Food Dolls!
Yay! That makes us so happy! Congrats on your addition!
I was drawn to this recipe because it looked delicious, but also it’s a one pot quick and easy meal. My husband and I don’t have much time to cook like we used to before our daughter was born. This was SO good. And my husband didn’t add pepper or Cajun seasoning to it, which is usually a tell tale sign it needs more flavor. Every time I try a new recipe I ask if I should bother making it again someday, and we both agreed that this one is definitely a keeper.
This dish is delish! Don’t wait to make it…You will love it!
This is a busy mom’s dream dinner!! One pot, quick, and delicious. My 4 kids and husband gave it 2 thumbs up!! This is a recipe I will be keeping in my rotation.
Hi Kaylann, that’s amazing! So glad it’s going to make your rotation!