Description
A fast, one-pan weeknight dinner featuring tender chicken, rotini pasta, and a rich creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. Ready in 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) Rotini or Penne Pasta
- 1.5 pounds (680g) Chicken Breast, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
- Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- ½ cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes (packed in oil), chopped
- 1 cup (240ml) Heavy Cream
- ½ cup (120ml) Chicken Broth (low-sodium)
- ¾ cup (75g) Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 2 cups Fresh Spinach
- Fresh Basil or Parsley, for garnish (optional)
- Red Pepper Flakes, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Cut chicken into cubes, mince garlic, chop sun-dried tomatoes, and measure cream, broth, and cheese.
- Boil pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sauté chicken: Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken cubes in a single layer, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook 3-4 minutes until browned. Remove chicken to a plate.
- Build sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Cook 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits. Simmer for 1 minute.
- Add cream and cheese: Pour in heavy cream and simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Combine: Add cooked pasta and chicken back to the skillet. Toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick. Stir in spinach and let wilt.
- Serve: Serve immediately topped with fresh basil, extra Parmesan, and red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
Save the starchy pasta water to help thicken the sauce. Use fresh Parmesan instead of pre-grated to avoid a grainy texture. Remove the pan from heat before adding cheese to prevent separation. If the sauce is too watery, let it simmer longer or add more cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 380
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 25
Keywords: chicken pasta, one pan dinner, creamy pasta, sun-dried tomato, weeknight dinner, 30 minute meals, skillet dinner, family friendly