This simple Tuscan Chicken Pasta recipe features seasoned, crusted chicken in a creamy Tuscan sauce, served over your choice of pasta.
Tuscan Chicken Pasta
For a meal that combines creamy richness with vibrant flavors, Tuscan Chicken Pasta is an excellent choice. This dish features fettuccine pasta coated in a luscious white sauce, topped with grilled chicken pieces, and garnished with fresh herbs. The addition of sun-dried tomatoes or bell peppers adds a burst of color and a sweet or tangy flavor, making it a visually appealing and delicious meal.
A Symphony of Flavors
The creamy sauce, likely Alfredo or a similar type, is the star of this dish. It provides a rich and velvety base that pairs perfectly with the tender grilled chicken and the pasta. The sun-dried tomatoes or bell peppers add a delightful contrast, bringing a touch of sweetness and tanginess that enhances the overall flavor profile.
Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether you’re preparing a special dinner for guests or looking for a comforting meal to enjoy at home, Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a versatile choice. It’s elegant enough for a dinner party yet simple enough for a weeknight meal. The combination of flavors and textures makes it a dish that everyone will love.
Easy to Prepare
Despite its sophisticated appearance, this dish is relatively easy to prepare. The chicken is grilled to perfection and then combined with the pasta and creamy sauce. The fettuccine pasta soaks up the sauce beautifully, ensuring that every bite is full of flavor.
A Crowd-Pleaser
This dish is sure to impress your family and friends. Its vibrant presentation and delicious taste make it a standout meal. Plus, it’s a great way to introduce new flavors to your dinner table, combining the familiar comfort of pasta with the rich, savory notes of Tuscan cuisine.
Why you will adore Tuscan Chicken Pastas:
- Rich and Creamy Sauce: The creamy Tuscan sauce, made with heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, delivers a decadently rich flavor. It coats the pasta and chicken beautifully, offering a luxurious texture and taste that’s incredibly satisfying.
- Balanced Flavor Profile: The blend of savory chicken, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, and tangy Parmesan cheese creates a well-rounded flavor profile. Each element complements the others, resulting in a harmonious medley of flavors that tantalizes the taste buds with every mouthful.
- Hearty and Filling: Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a hearty dish that’s sure to satisfy your appetite. The combination of tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and creamy sauce makes for a comforting and substantial meal that leaves you feeling pleasantly full and content.
- Easy to Prepare: Despite its gourmet appeal and complex flavors, Tuscan Chicken Pasta is surprisingly simple to make. With basic ingredients and easy cooking techniques, you can whip up this restaurant-quality dish in your own kitchen in no time. It’s an ideal choice for both weeknight dinners and special occasions, offering a delicious meal with minimal effort.
For Tuscan Chicken Pasta, here are some complementary items you can serve:
- Garlic Bread: Serve slices of warm garlic bread or breadsticks on the side to complement the flavors of the pasta and soak up any extra sauce.
- Caprese Salad: Accompany the pasta with a refreshing Caprese salad made with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil leaves, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. The flavors of the salad complement the Tuscan-inspired dish.
- Roasted Vegetables: Serve a medley of roasted vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes for added texture and flavor. The sweetness of the roasted vegetables pairs well with the savory chicken and creamy sauce.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Offer grated Parmesan cheese for sprinkling over the pasta to add a savory and nutty flavor.
- Fresh Herbs: Garnish the pasta with freshly chopped basil or parsley for a pop of color and added freshness.
Make Ahead and Freezing:
- For preparing ahead: You can make the sauce 1-2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. The chicken can be coated in the flour mixture a few hours ahead of time.
- For freezing: You can make the sauce and freeze it before adding the milk and cream. However, it’s not recommended to freeze the cream sauce as the texture may change.
Love Tuscan? Be sure to check out these other delicious Tuscan recipes!
Creamy Tuscan Orzo
Creamy Tuscan Shrimp
Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1.5 pounds chicken tenders or maybe halved chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp dried oregano leaves
- ¼ tsp onion powder
Sauce:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper minced
- 1 tbsp garlic minced
- 1 1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup chopped baby spinach
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning or more to taste
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 lb fettuccine pasta
Instructions
Season the chicken:
- In a large ziplock bag, combine ¾ cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, dried basil, oregano, and onion powder. Add the chicken to the bag and shake to coat it.
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain it and set it aside.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. When hot, add the chicken to the pan and cook for a few minutes on each side until golden brown and just cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate to rest.
Make the sauce:
- In the same pan, add 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Scrape up any browned bits from cooking the chicken. Add bell pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes. Then add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Mix in flour, then whisk in chicken broth. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then stir in cream, milk, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Stir in spinach and parmesan cheese, and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Serve the chicken and sauce over the hot-cooked pasta. Garnish with extra fresh parmesan cheese and parsley if desired.
Notes
- To prepare ahead, you can make the sauce 1-2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. The chicken can be coated in the flour mixture a few hours ahead of time.
- For freezing: You can make the sauce and freeze it before adding the milk and cream. However, it's not recommended to freeze the cream sauce as the texture may change.
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