Irresistible Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta: Your Ultimate Easy Weeknight Dinner
Experience the vibrant flavors of Italy with this incredible Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta. This comforting dish brings together tender, perfectly cooked chicken, earthy sautéed mushrooms, and a luxurious, garlicky tomato-cream sauce, all tossed with your favorite pasta. It’s the ideal meal for those busy weeknights when you crave something deeply satisfying and flavorful but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. Made with simple, readily available ingredients, this exquisite pasta dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it a true lifesaver. Finish it with a generous sprinkle of fresh Parmesan cheese for an easy, restaurant-quality meal right in your own home!
Whenever I need a dish that feels like a warm hug but is quick to prepare, this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is my absolute favorite go-to recipe. It’s one of those culinary delights that tastes like it required significant effort and culinary skill, when in reality, it’s surprisingly straightforward. Imagine transforming a few pantry staples, like canned diced tomatoes and half-and-half, alongside fresh chicken breasts and mushrooms, into a gourmet experience in just about 25 minutes. The result? Succulent chicken, beautifully caramelized mushrooms, and a rich, aromatic garlic-infused cream sauce, all coating perfectly al dente pasta. Serve it up with a glass of crisp white wine, and you might just feel transported to a charming trattoria in the heart of the Italian countryside – at least in spirit!
If you’re someone who appreciates cozy, flavor-packed pasta dishes that consistently deliver, this recipe is destined to become a staple in your meal rotation. It stands proudly alongside other beloved recipes like my Smoky Garlic Chicken Pasta when I’m yearning for bold, savory notes, or the indulgent Marry Me Chicken Pasta for those special nights. What truly sets this Tuscan version apart, however, is its remarkable balance. It’s wonderfully rich and satisfying without ever feeling overly heavy, and its simplicity belies a depth of flavor that is truly gratifying. It’s perfect for a hectic weeknight dinner, yet elegant enough to serve when entertaining guests, allowing you to focus on company rather than complex cooking.
Why You’ll Adore This Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Uses Simple, Accessible Ingredients: You won’t need to embark on a scavenger hunt for obscure items. This recipe relies on readily available pantry staples like canned Italian-style diced tomatoes and half-and-half, combined with fresh chicken and mushrooms. This makes grocery shopping a breeze and ensures you can whip up this dish any night of the week.
- Customizable Pasta Choice for Perfect Texture: While angel hair pasta is fantastic for its quick cooking time and delicate texture, this recipe is incredibly versatile. Feel free to substitute it with your favorite pasta shape—whether it’s penne, fettuccine, spaghetti, or rigatoni—to perfectly suit your texture preferences and what you have on hand. Each shape will hold the creamy sauce beautifully.
- Rich, Creamy Sauce Without the Heaviness: The magic of this dish lies in its luxurious sauce. The harmonious blend of half-and-half (or heavy cream for extra decadence, or whole milk for a lighter touch) and aromatic garlic creates a velvety, indulgent sauce that coats every piece of chicken and pasta. It’s remarkably flavorful and satisfying, yet avoids being overly rich or greasy.
- Effortlessly Adaptable to Your Tastes: This recipe is a fantastic canvas for culinary creativity. Easily swap the chicken for succulent shrimp or flakes of salmon for a seafood twist. Boost the nutritional content by stirring in a handful of fresh spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking for extra greens and vibrant color. For a delicious vegetarian option, simply omit the meat entirely and increase the mushrooms or add cannellini beans.
- Perfect for Meal Prep and Leftovers: Planning meals just got easier! This Tuscan Chicken Pasta reheats exceptionally well, making it an excellent choice for meal prepping. Prepare a larger batch, and you’ll have delicious, flavorful lunches or quick dinners ready to go for the following day, saving you time and effort.
Essential Ingredients for Tuscan Chicken Pasta
For the best results, gather these fresh and pantry-friendly ingredients. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card with exact measurements.
- Spaghetti or Angel Hair Pasta: Choose your preferred long pasta. Angel hair cooks quickly, while spaghetti offers a more robust bite.
- Chicken Breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are diced and cooked until tender and golden, providing the hearty protein base.
- Mushrooms: Fresh mushrooms, thinly sliced, add an earthy depth and wonderful texture to the sauce. Cremini or white button mushrooms work perfectly.
- Italian Style Diced Tomatoes: These canned tomatoes are the foundation of our flavorful sauce, bringing a sweet and tangy tomato base. Look for varieties seasoned with Italian herbs for extra depth.
- Half-n-Half: This creates the signature creamy texture of the sauce. For a richer sauce, you can easily use heavy cream, or opt for whole milk if you prefer a lighter version.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is crucial for building the aromatic and irresistible flavor profile of this Tuscan sauce. Don’t skimp on the garlic!
- Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the chicken and mushrooms, imparting a subtle fruity note and ensuring even cooking.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, rosemary, and thyme, providing classic Italian flavors to the chicken and sauce.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning the chicken and adjusting the overall flavor of the finished dish to your taste.
Step-by-Step Guide: How To Make Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Creating this delicious creamy Tuscan chicken pasta is simpler than you might think. Follow these easy steps to bring this flavorful meal to your table in no time:
- Cook the Pasta: Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen pasta (spaghetti or angel hair work wonderfully) and cook according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside, reserving a little pasta water if you like, to thin the sauce later if needed.
- Season and Cook the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, dice your boneless, skinless chicken breast into bite-sized cubes. Season the chicken generously with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and fragrant Italian seasoning. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add a teaspoon of olive oil. Sauté the seasoned chicken pieces until they are beautifully browned on all sides and thoroughly cooked through. This usually takes about 5-6 minutes. Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and keep it warm.
- Sauté the Mushrooms: Using the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil. Add the thinly sliced mushrooms to the pan and cook them, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown and tender. This process usually takes 2-3 minutes, and allows the mushrooms to develop a deep, savory flavor.
- Add Garlic for Flavor: Once the mushrooms are tender, stir in the minced garlic. Cook for just about 1 minute, or until the garlic becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter.
- Build the Creamy Sauce: Pour the can of Italian-style diced tomatoes over the sautéed mushrooms and garlic. Let this mixture simmer gently for 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Then, stir in the half-and-half (or your chosen dairy). This creates the rich, creamy base of your Tuscan sauce.
- Combine the Chicken: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the pan, stirring them into the creamy tomato sauce. Continue to heat gently until everything is warmed through and the chicken is fully coated in the luscious sauce. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Toss with Pasta: Add the freshly cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce and chicken. Toss everything together thoroughly, ensuring every strand and piece is evenly coated in the rich, garlicky cream sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Divide the creamy Tuscan chicken pasta among serving plates. For a perfect finish, top each portion with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. If desired, garnish with a few fresh basil leaves or chopped parsley for a touch of color and freshness. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Expert Recipe Tips & Customization Tricks
Elevate your Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta with these helpful tips and simple modifications:
- Choose Your Favorite Pasta Shape: While angel hair cooks in a flash, feel free to experiment with other pasta types. Penne, fettuccine, linguine, or even rotini work exceptionally well, offering a different mouthfeel and ensuring the creamy sauce clings perfectly to every bite.
- Add Greens for Extra Nutrition: For a vibrant boost of color and nutrients, toss in a generous handful of fresh spinach or kale during the last couple of minutes of cooking. The residual heat from the sauce will wilt the greens beautifully without overcooking them.
- Double the Recipe for Easy Leftovers: This dish is a fantastic candidate for meal prepping. The flavors tend to deepen overnight, and it reheats wonderfully, making it perfect for convenient lunches or quick dinners throughout the week. Simply adjust ingredient quantities accordingly.
- Swap Proteins for Delicious Variety: Don’t limit yourself to chicken! This versatile sauce pairs beautifully with other proteins. Try using succulent shrimp (add them at the end and cook until pink), tender salmon flakes, or even sliced Italian sausage for a delightful new take on this classic.
- Add a Kick of Spice: If you enjoy a bit of heat in your pasta, sprinkle in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper when you add the garlic. This will add a pleasant warmth that complements the creamy sauce without overpowering it.
- Make it Gluten-Free: Adapting this recipe for dietary needs is simple. Just substitute traditional pasta with your favorite high-quality gluten-free pasta. Ensure to cook it according to package directions, as cooking times can vary.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining your pasta, scoop out about half a cup of the starchy cooking water. If your sauce appears too thick after combining with the pasta, you can add a tablespoon or two of this reserved water to achieve your desired consistency, helping the sauce cling better to the pasta.
- Fresh Herbs for Garnish: While Parmesan is a must, don’t forget the power of fresh herbs. A sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley just before serving not only adds a beautiful pop of color but also introduces a fresh, aromatic finish that brightens the entire dish.
Absolutely! To save time, you can prepare the chicken and the creamy Tuscan sauce components a day or two in advance. Store the cooked chicken and the sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, simply reheat the sauce gently, cook fresh pasta, and combine everything. This approach ensures the pasta has the best possible texture.
Yes, transforming this into a satisfying vegetarian meal is very simple. Omit the chicken entirely and instead, increase the amount of mushrooms, or add other hearty vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or sun-dried tomatoes. You could also incorporate a plant-based protein like cannellini beans or firm tofu for added substance. The creamy tomato sauce base is inherently delicious on its own!
While the sauce and cooked chicken freeze remarkably well for up to 3 months in an airtight container, freezing pasta can sometimes alter its texture, making it a bit mushy upon reheating. For the best experience, we recommend freezing only the chicken and sauce mixture. Then, when you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw the sauce, reheat, and toss with freshly cooked pasta.
Discover More Easy Dinner Recipes
- Creamy Chicken and Rice
- BLT Salad
- Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
- Chicken Lo Mein
- Bruschetta Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Creamy Beef Pasta
Tuscan Chicken Pasta
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Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti, (or angel hair pasta)
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into cubes
- 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (8 oz) package mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 15 oz Italian style diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup half-n-half, can sub whole milk or heavy cream
Instructions
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Bring a large pot of water to boil. Cook angel hair pasta according to the package directions.
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Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 tsp olive oil to pan, swirling to coat. Season diced chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add chicken to the pan and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove from the pan and keep warm.
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Add remaining olive oil to the pan. Add mushrooms and cook for 2-3 minutes until lightly browned. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
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Pour can of tomatoes over mushrooms and let simmer for 3-5 minutes. Stir in half and half and add chicken to the pan. Heat until everything is warmed through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Toss with pasta. Top with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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