Description
This Spicy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender chicken breast, penne pasta, and a rich sauce made with diced tomatoes, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, infused with aromatic garlic and Italian herbs. Perfect for a quick and hearty dinner, it balances mild heat with comforting flavors of Tuscany.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
Chicken & Seasoning
- 1 pound chicken breast, cubed
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken, season with salt and black pepper, and cook until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, making sure not to burn it.
- Add Tomatoes: Pour in the canned diced tomatoes with their juices. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Make Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Allow the sauce to thicken slightly while stirring occasionally.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top and stir until it melts into the sauce, creating a creamy texture.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the dish and add more salt, black pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired for preferred heat and flavor balance.
- Serve: Remove from heat. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the heat level according to personal preference.
- Using fresh garlic enhances the flavor, but garlic powder can be a substitute in a pinch.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lower-fat cream alternative.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts better and has superior flavor compared to pre-grated varieties.
- Cook pasta just until al dente to avoid mushy texture when combined with the sauce.
