4.8 from 26 votes
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Another one of my childhood favs - this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is the perfect quick and easy weeknight meal
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
6
people
Calories:
690 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Mediterranean, Italian
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti or linguini
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound chicken breast boneless skinless
- salt Kosher salt and freshly cracked, to taste
- black pepper Kosher salt and freshly cracked, to taste
- 4 lices Bacon
- 8 cloves garlic roughly chopped
- 1 ounce can diced tomatoes canned
- ½ cup sun dried tomatoes roughly chopped
- 1 handful baby spinach
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ - 1 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- 1 lemon zested and juiced
- basil to garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water once cooked, drain and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with the olive oil. Liberally season the chicken with salt and pepper and cook until golden on the outside and no longer pink inside, about 7-8 minutes per side. Remove from the pan, let rest for 10 minutes before thinly slicing.
- In the same skillet, add the bacon and cook until crispy. Drain on a paper towel lined plate and then tear into bite sized pieces.
- If there is a lot of bacon fat leftover, drain most of it off. Add the garlic, tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes and spinach to the skillet and cook over medium heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then add heavy cream, Parmesan, and a few tablespoons of reserved pasta water. Simmer for 5 minutes until saucy and combined.
- Add the reserved pasta, chicken, bacon, lemon juice and lemon zest and toss until combined. If it's too thick, add a few more tablespoons of the reserved pasta water. Garnish with basil and serve.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- The chicken is simple and just adds a bit of protein. If you want to amp it up, and use a blackened chicken recipe, use the spice rub from here. It certainly spices things up a bit and that’s not always everyones jam.
Nutrition Information
Calories
690kcal
(35%)
Carbohydrates
71g
(24%)
Protein
38g
(76%)
Fat
28g
(43%)
Saturated Fat
12g
(60%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
(18%)
Monounsaturated Fat
10g
(50%)
Trans Fat
0.03g
(2%)
Cholesterol
102mg
(34%)
Sodium
748mg
(31%)
Potassium
1059mg
(23%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
8g
(16%)
Vitamin A
1172IU
(23%)
Vitamin C
23mg
(26%)
Calcium
303mg
(30%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 690
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 690kcal | 35% |
| Carbohydrates | 71g | 24% |
| Protein | 38g | 76% |
| Fat | 28g | 43% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 0.03g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 102mg | 34% |
| Sodium | 748mg | 31% |
| Potassium | 1059mg | 23% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 1172IU | 23% |
| Vitamin C | 23mg | 26% |
| Calcium | 303mg | 30% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.