Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipes

CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKEN PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and toss with butter.
• Optional: For quicker, more even cooking, slightly flatten breasts with a kitchen mallet. If they are very thick, slice them in half horizontally before flattening.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat a skillet over high heat. When pan is hot, add 1 tablespoon oil.
• When oil is hot, put chicken breasts in pan and cook until golden brown on both sides and cooked through. Remove chicken from pan.
• Let chicken cool for a few minutes, then slice. Set aside.
• Add remaining tablespoon oil to pan. Add onions and cook until softened.
• Add red bell pepper and cook until almost softened.
• Add the garlic, sundried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Stir, and cook for about 1 minute.
• Deglaze pan with broth, scraping bottom to release any bits sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• Add cream and bring to a simmer. Allow to simmer for 2 minutes. Add parmesan and cook until melted.
• When cheese is melted turn off the heat and stir in baby spinach.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Combine pasta, chicken, and sauce.
• Serve.

SLOW-COOKER CREAMY TUSCAN CHICKEN PASTA

Steps:

• Spray 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In slow cooker, mix broth, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper flakes.
• Stir in chicken. Cover; cook on High heat setting 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until chicken is cooked through (at least 165°F). Stir in pasta and tomatoes. Cover; cook on High heat setting 25 to 30 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring twice.
• Stir in cream cheese and Parmesan cheese until cheeses melt. Stir in spinach until wilted. Let stand covered 5 to 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir before serving.

HEARTY TUSCAN CHICKEN PASTA

Steps:

• In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook until golden and no longer pink inside, about 8 minutes per side. Let rest 10 minutes, then thinly slice.
• Meanwhile, in same skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy, 8 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate, then chop. Pour off half of fat from skillet.
• Add garlic, tomatoes, and spinach to skillet and cook over medium heat until fragrant and slightly wilted, 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then add heavy cream, Parmesan, and 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water. Simmer 5 minutes.
• Add cooked pasta and toss until fully coated, then add chicken and bacon and toss until combined. (For a looser sauce, stir in more reserved pasta water.)
• Garnish with basil before serving.