Name: Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 pounds chicken breasts (boneless and skinless); ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained, roughly chopped); 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning; 1 cup heavy cream; 2 cups milk; 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; 8 ounces penne pasta (or macaroni, uncooked); 3 cups baby spinach

There’s something irresistibly cozy about this one-pot wonder. The Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe is a beautiful blend of tender chicken, luscious cream sauce, and vibrant sun-dried tomatoes that hits every comfort food note just right. Trust me, once you make it, it’ll be a staple in your dinner rotation.

The dish shows a white bowl filled with creamy pasta made of three main visible layers: the yellow penne pasta tubes with a smooth texture spread all around, tender chunks of light brown chicken pieces mixed in evenly, and sun-dried tomatoes in deep red scattered throughout. Fresh green spinach leaves and small, chopped green parsley are mixed in, adding bright color. A silver fork rests inside the bowl with its handle leaning on the edge. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with a blue and white patterned cloth beneath it. A small white bowl with green herbs is in the background along with a bunch of fresh parsley. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I threw this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe together on a busy weeknight. It took no time at all, yet it felt like a special meal with all those rich Italian flavors. It’s the kind of recipe that looks and tastes like you spent hours fussing, but really, it’s simple and forgiving.

One-Pot Magic: Everything cooks together in a single pot, which means less cleanup and more time enjoying your meal.
Bold Tuscan Flavors: The sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasoning give this creamy dish a lovely, rustic Italian vibe that’s hard to resist.
Perfectly Balanced Creaminess: It’s rich without being heavy thanks to the combo of heavy cream, milk, and Parmesan cheese.
Ready in 30 Minutes: Fast enough for weeknights but impressive enough for a casual dinner with friends or family.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe plays its part to build layers of flavor and texture, creating a well-rounded dish that feels homemade without a complicated list. Here’s why I love these staples and some pointers to look out for while shopping.

Flat lay of boneless skinless chicken breasts seasoned with salt and freshly ground black pepper, two brown whole eggs with clean shells, three peeled garlic cloves, a small pile of roughly chopped sun-dried tomatoes, a few sprigs of mixed Italian herbs, a small white ceramic bowl of olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl of milk, a small white ceramic bowl filled with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, uncooked penne pasta scattered neatly, and a handful of fresh baby spinach leaves, all arranged with perfect symmetry in a balanced composition, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless work best for even cooking and easy slicing later on.
Salt and pepper: Simple seasonings bring out the natural flavors of the chicken without any fuss.
Olive oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil adds a subtle fruitiness and helps brown the chicken beautifully.
Butter: Adds richness and helps carry those aromatic garlic and sun-dried tomato flavors.
Garlic: Fresh, minced garlic is a must for that punch of fragrant goodness.
Sun-dried tomatoes: These bring a sweet and slightly tangy depth that’s quintessentially Tuscan.
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that ties the flavors together perfectly without needing to measure out each spice.
Heavy cream: Provides luscious creaminess that makes this dish stick-to-your-ribs comforting.
Milk: Lightens the cream just a bit so it’s not too heavy but still velvety smooth.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated is best—it melts into the sauce adding savory umami and a touch of saltiness.
Penne pasta: Holds the sauce wonderfully thanks to its tube shape, but macaroni or another short pasta will work too.
Baby spinach: Adds a fresh, green pop of color and mild flavor while boosting the nutrition.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love that this recipe is flexible enough for you to play around. Whether you want it a little less creamy or want to sneak in some veggies, you can customize this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe to suit your taste and mood.

Variation: I sometimes swap out penne for bowtie pasta for a fun twist, and it soaks up the sauce just as well.
Vegetarian tweak: Skip the chicken and add mushrooms or artichoke hearts. The sauce is so rich you won’t even miss the meat.
Spice it up: A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a gentle kick if you like a little heat.
Lighten it up: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and milk to trim some calories but still keep creaminess.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe

This image shows a creamy pasta dish in a black skillet on a white marbled surface. The dish has three main layers: the base layer is penne pasta, light yellow in color and coated with a thick, creamy sauce. The second layer includes chunks of light brown cooked chicken scattered evenly throughout the pasta. The third layer features bright green spinach leaves and pieces of dark red sun-dried tomatoes mixed throughout, adding color contrast to the creamy sauce and pasta. The sauce has a smooth texture and appears rich, enveloping all the ingredients closely photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Sear the Chicken Until Golden

Start by seasoning both sides of your chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Heat your olive oil in a Dutch oven or a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken, and let it cook undisturbed for about 3 to 4 minutes per side to get that perfect golden crust. Don’t rush flipping—let it brown well to lock in juices for tender, flavorful bites. Once cooked through, remove and slice into 1-inch chunks, setting aside for later.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Base

Lower the heat to medium, then add butter to the same pot. When it melts and starts to bubble, toss in the minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Stir frequently for about 2 minutes or until everything is aromatic and the garlic is just golden—this combo releases that iconic Tuscan flavor burst you want in every bite.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Sauce and Cook Pasta

Pour in the heavy cream and milk, stirring to combine. Then, sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, and stir again until the cheese begins melting into the sauce. Add your pasta directly to the pot and stir well to submerge. Reduce the heat slightly and let everything simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, for about 10 minutes or until the pasta is just al dente (tender but still has bite). This step is magic—cooking pasta right in the sauce makes every bite perfectly coated.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Once the pasta is cooked, quickly fold in your cooked chicken pieces and baby spinach. Let the heat gently wilt the spinach and warm the chicken through for 1 to 2 minutes. Give everything one last good stir to combine the flavors and ensure that creamy goodness clings to every morsel.

Step 5: Serve Warm and Enjoy

Dish out generous portions while it’s warm and creamy. This pasta holds together well, so no worries about the sauce separating. Grab a fork, a cozy seat, and get ready to savor a deliciously comforting meal.

Top Tip

Having made this recipe quite a few times, I’ve learned a few little hacks that elevate it and make the cooking flow super smooth.

Don’t rush browning the chicken: Give each side the time it needs to get golden and caramelized — this adds a ton of flavor and juiciness later.
Keep stirring while the pasta cooks: Since the pasta is cooking in the sauce, stir regularly to avoid it sticking to the bottom of the pot or clumping.
Freshly grated Parmesan makes all the difference: Pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect melting and texture.
Add spinach at the very end: So it just wilts and stays vibrant green without becoming mushy.

How to Serve Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe

Tuscan Chicken Pasta - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually like to sprinkle a little extra freshly grated Parmesan on top for that melted cheesy layer and add a bit of chopped fresh basil or parsley for color and a fresh herbal note. A quick crack of black pepper right before serving really wakes up the flavors too.

Side Dishes

To keep the Italian theme running, I love pairing this pasta with a simple Caesar salad or some garlic bread slathered in herb butter. A light roasted vegetable like asparagus or zucchini also makes a nice contrast to the creamy richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, serve this pasta in individual shallow bowls, drizzled with a touch of good quality olive oil and garnished with microgreens. Alternatively, plate it family-style in a big rustic pan so everyone can dig in—it makes the meal feel warm and inviting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens a bit as it chills, so when you reheat, add a splash of milk or cream to loosen it back up.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this pasta on occasion and found it freezes pretty well. Just be sure to cool it thoroughly before freezing in portioned containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.

Reheating

For reheating, I like to warm it slowly over low heat on the stove to avoid breaking the cream sauce. Adding a small splash of milk or cream helps bring back that smooth, velvety texture. Microwave works in a pinch, but do it in short bursts and stir in between.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are juicier and slightly more forgiving if you tend to overcook chicken. Just adjust cooking time slightly and make sure they’re cooked through before slicing.

What pasta can I substitute for penne?

You can use other short pasta like macaroni, fusilli, or rigatoni. The key is to use pasta that holds sauce well since this dish relies on the sauce coating each bite.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

This recipe relies on dairy for creaminess, but you can try substituting coconut milk and a dairy-free cheese alternative. The flavor and texture will be different, so it’s worth experimenting to find the balance you like.

How do I prevent the sauce from becoming too thick?

Keep an eye on the liquid levels as the pasta cooks, and stir regularly to prevent sticking. If the sauce thickens too much, simply add a splash of milk or water to loosen it to your desired consistency.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug when you need it most. From its easy one-pot prep to the rich, vibrant flavors that remind me of a little Tuscan kitchen, it’s my go-to for sharing with friends or just treating myself. Give it a try—you’ll find it’s as rewarding to make as it is to eat.