Description
Indulge in a delicious Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta recipe! Learn how to make a rich and satisfying dish perfect for any meal. Click here for the full recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 1/2 tsp (3 ml) each: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and Italian seasoning
- 3 tbsp olive oil (45 ml) (you can also sub vegetable oil if it’s what you have)
- 1/2 pound penne pasta (225 g) (usually half a box)
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth (360 ml) (divided)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) tomato paste
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp (5 ml) Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp (1 ml) salt
- 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
- 4 oz softened cream cheese (115 g)
- 3/4 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes (180 ml)
- 3/4 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese (75 g)
- 2 handfuls of fresh spinach or about 1/2 cup (120 ml) frozen spinach
- parsley to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Combine the spices for the chicken and sprinkle them on each piece to ensure they are well coated.
- Warm a large, high-sided skillet over medium heat and pour in the olive oil. Cook the chicken breasts for approximately 5-6 minutes on each side until thoroughly done.
- Place the chicken on a plate, cover it with foil, and let it rest to keep warm.
- Fill a large pot with water and heat it for the pasta as you prepare the sauce. Add 2 teaspoons of salt to the water. Once the water is boiling, cook the pasta according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Using the same skillet where the chicken was cooked (maintaining medium heat), pour in ½ cup of chicken broth, add tomato paste, and minced garlic. Let it cook for about 5 minutes until the mixture reduces by half.
- Stir in the remaining 1 cup of chicken broth, Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and heavy cream. Allow it to simmer for roughly 5 minutes.
- Incorporate the softened cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese, stirring until the cheeses are fully melted.
- Turn off the heat and mix in the spinach until it wilts, taking about 2 minutes.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the sauce by stirring them together.
- Arrange the cooked chicken on top, add any juices from the plate, garnish with parsley if desired, and serve.
Notes
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a healthier version.
- Add some red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper for a hint of spice in the sauce.
- No sun-dried tomatoes? Use cherry tomatoes or roasted red peppers for a different flavor.
