Description
This one-pot creamy sun-dried tomato chicken pasta is bursting with Italian flavors and comes together in just 45 minutes! Tender seasoned chicken, baby spinach, and a garlic-infused sun-dried tomato sauce make this a comforting yet easy meal the whole family will love.
Ingredients
✔️ 1 tbsp olive oil
✔️ 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
✔️ ½ tsp garlic powder
✔️ 1½ tsp Italian seasoning
✔️ ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
✔️ Salt & black pepper, to taste
✔️ ½ cup diced shallots
✔️ 2 cloves garlic, grated
✔️ ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained & chopped
✔️ 8 oz fusilli or penne pasta (uncooked)
✔️ 2½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
✔️ 2 cups packed baby spinach
✔️ 2 oz low-fat cream cheese (room temp)
✔️ 1 cup whole milk
✔️ ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
✔️ 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Chicken:
🔸 Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat.
🔸 Add chicken, spreading it in a single layer.
🔸 Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
🔸 Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
2️⃣ Sauté the Aromatics:
🔸 If needed, add more oil to the skillet.
🔸 Sauté shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic for 2 minutes.
🔸 Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any flavorful bits. Bring to a boil.
3️⃣ Cook the Pasta:
🔸 Add pasta and reduce heat to medium.
🔸 Cook until al dente (15-20 minutes), stirring often.
🔸 In the last minute, stir in spinach until wilted.
4️⃣ Make it Creamy:
🔸 Stir in cream cheese and Parmesan until melted.
🔸 Return chicken to the skillet and pour in milk.
🔸 Simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
5️⃣ Finish & Serve:
🔸 Taste and adjust seasoning.
🔸 Remove from heat and garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan.
Notes
✔️ For extra richness, use heavy cream instead of milk.
✔️ Want more heat? Add extra red pepper flakes.
✔️ Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 568 kcal per serving
- Sugar: 8g per serving
- Sodium: 311mg per serving
- Fat: 15g per serving
- Carbohydrates: 55g per serving
- Fiber: 3g per serving
- Protein: 52g per serving