Easy Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake
Make this incredibly satisfying Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake for a simple, hearty weeknight dinner. It combines tender chicken, pasta, and a rich, cheesy sauce for comfort food perfection.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound dried penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook the chicken until it is browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Stir the chopped sun-dried tomatoes into the skillet with the chicken. Cook for 1 minute.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the cooked pasta, Parmesan cheese, and spinach until the spinach wilts and the cheese melts into the sauce.
- Transfer the chicken and pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top evenly with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil.
Notes
- For a quicker meal, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken breasts. Add the shredded chicken when you add the pasta in step 6.
- If you prefer a tangier flavor, substitute half of the heavy cream with cream cheese softened to room temperature.
- You can add 1/2 cup of frozen peas or chopped artichoke hearts along with the spinach for extra vegetables.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 13
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 110