Get ready for the ultimate family-friendly comfort food experience with our One Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta! This recipe is an incredible combination of tender pasta shells, juicy chicken, veggies, and warm spice. And it all comes together in a magical one-pot creation! Not only is it hearty and filling, but it’s also a breeze to make, ready in just 30 minutes. It’s a dinner winner that’ll have everyone at the table asking for seconds!
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
In case you haven’t been following us long enough to get the memo, here’s our not-so-well-kept secret — we absolutely adore 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 pairs simplicity with sophistication. It 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 cuisine 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 these simple steps, and you’ll have a delicious meal on the table 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
Turn this Tuscan Chicken Pasta into your culinary playground! Experiment with these delicious variations to tailor the recipe to your taste:
- Pasta – If you can’t find shell 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
While this Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a complete and filling meal in itself, why not take it to the next level with some stellar side pairings? Here are some of the best companions to make your dining experience even more delectable:
- 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
When stored properly in an airtight container, it stays good for 3-4 days. The sauce might thicken up a bit in the fridge, but it comes right back to life with gentle reheating and a splash of cream or broth.
The key is not overcooking the chicken initially when you’re searing it — just get it golden brown on the outside, then let it finish cooking gently in the sauce. This two-step process helps keep the meat juicy and tender.
Absolutely — chicken thighs are fantastic in this recipe! They stay juicy and their rich flavor works wonderfully with the creamy sauce. Just adjust the cooking time slightly since thighs typically take a few minutes longer.
Yes, and it may get even better overnight as the flavors come together! The sauce reheats beautifully, though you might need to add a splash of cream or chicken broth when warming it up to restore its silky texture.
More One-Pot Recipes
If you’ve fallen for the creamy goodness of our Tuscan Chicken Pasta, you definitely won’t want to miss these one-pot wonders:
- 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.2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, 4 cloves garlic, minced, 1 pound chicken breast, diced
- 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.1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 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.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
- Add the heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, stirring to combine.1/2 cup heavy cream, 8 ounces Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- Serve warm!
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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Nutrition
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Delicious and so easy. on our repeat list to do again.
Thank you, Tona! We’re so happy to hear this. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
This is a heavenly dish! Just the right amount of spice, taste, and flavor. I will be putting this on our special guest list and “our family loves this” list…try it you will LOVE it!!!
Thank you, Shari! We’re so happy to hear this! 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
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.
I’ve made it twice already . First time with chicken and second time with mild Italian chicken sausage . Soooo good both times . Making again for Mother’s Day
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Linda!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
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!