Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a rich, high-protein dinner made with savory chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and tender pasta in a creamy parmesan sauce. It’s cozy, flavorful, and easy enough for busy weeknight dinners!
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A Note from Kim
A High-Protein Dinner Hit
This creamy Tuscan chicken pasta has quickly become a go-to comfort meal in our house. Made with ground chicken and cottage cheese, it packs 37 grams of protein per serving while keeping the sauce rich and indulgent. I love tossing in plenty of fresh spinach for a boost of color and nutrients, and if you want to step it up even more, a protein-enriched pasta works perfectly too.
What makes this recipe even better is how simple it is to pull together. In just over 30 minutes, you’ve got a meal that’s creamy, flavorful, and satisfying enough to please the whole family. It’s the kind of dish that will definitely earn a permanent spot on your weeknight rotation!
With love (and lots of good eats), 
Absolutely loved this dish! Everything came together fast and easy, and the flavor was incredible. Definitely a new staple for my pasta nights.
— Kris
What’s in Tuscan Chicken Pasta?
This Tuscan chicken pasta recipe is sometimes called Marry Me Chicken Pasta, and after one bite, you’ll see why! Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
You can find all the measurements in the recipe card below.
- Pasta: Tender penne noodles cooked just until al dente, so they hold up perfectly in the creamy sauce. Try using chickpea pasta for the added protein and fiber!
- Meat: Ground chicken or ground turkey gives this dish a high-protein boost and a savory base for the sauce.
- Oil & flavor: Olive oil or avocado oil is used to cook the chicken, and a bit of dry Italian salad dressing mix adds an extra punch of flavor. You can also use my homemade Italian seasoning blend. Three tablespoons of my homemade mix is equal to one packet.
- Creamy sauce: Half-and-half, chicken broth, and cottage cheese blend together for a rich, velvety sauce that’s not too heavy.
- Garlic & cheese: Minced garlic, garlic powder, and grated parmesan bring bold, savory notes that make the dish irresistible.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Chopped, oil-packed tomatoes add a sweet-tangy depth that pairs beautifully with the creamy sauce.
- Greens: Fresh baby spinach adds color, flavor, and a little extra nutrition.
- Finishing touches: Sprinkle with fresh parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste for a bright, flavorful finish.
What are some variations?
- Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes, a dash of cayenne, or a spicy Italian sausage to give the dish a little heat.
- Extra veggies: Toss in roasted red peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini to make it even heartier and more colorful.
- Sauce changes: For a lighter sauce, swap some of the half and half for whole milk, or for a richer sauce, swap some or all of the half and half for heavy cream.
Kim’s Recipe Tips
- Prep ingredients ahead: Gather and measure out all ingredients before starting to make everything flow smoothly.
- Cook pasta al dente: Slightly undercooking the pasta ensures it holds up when tossed with the sauce and doesn’t get mushy.
- Low and slow for sauce: Simmer on low heat to thicken gradually, this prevents scorching and keeps the sauce rich and creamy.
How to Make Tuscan Chicken Pasta
This pasta dish is super easy and comes together quickly, especially if you have all your ingredients ready to go. While the pasta is boiling and the meat is browning, you can multitask by preparing the creamy sauce, making the whole dinner fast and stress-free.
You can find the full printable instructions in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Boil noodles. Add the penne pasta to a pot of boiling salted water and cook al dente according to the package instructions.
Step 2: Brown ground meat. Heat oil in a very large skillet, pan, pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken or turkey and cook, breaking it into small pieces as it browns. Stir in the Italian salad dressing mix as the meat finishes cooking.
Step 3: Make the sauce. Meanwhile, make the cream sauce by blending the half-and-half, chicken broth, cottage cheese, minced garlic, garlic powder, and grated parmesan cheese until smooth.
Step 4: Add tomatoes. Transfer the sauce mixture to a saucepan over low heat and stir in the chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes.
Step 5: Simmer. Simmer the sauce over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and becomes smooth and creamy.
Step 6: Combine. Once the sauce has thickened, add the drained pasta, seasoned chicken, cream sauce, and fresh baby spinach to the pasta pot.
Step 7: Finish cooking. Stir everything together and cook for a minute or two, just until the spinach wilts.
Step 8: Serve. Serve topped with additional parmesan cheese and fresh parsley or basil, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! While penne works great for holding the creamy sauce, you can swap in farfalle, rigatoni, fusilli, rotini, or even spaghetti.
Yes, this recipe would be delicious with cooked and chopped or shredded skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs. Rotisserie chicken would also be a great option. If using pre-cooked chicken, add it near the end just to heat through.
This dish is hearty enough to be a complete meal on its own, thanks to the pasta and protein in the dish. When I do serve something on the side, I usually keep it simple with a fresh caesar salad and garlic bread. For an extra boost of veggies, roasted broccoli or asparagus are quick, easy, and pair perfectly with the creamy pasta.
Storage and Reheating
- Storing leftovers: Let the pasta cool slightly, then transfer to an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for 3–4 days.
- Reheat on the stove: Warm over low to medium heat in a skillet or saucepan, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of milk, half-and-half, or chicken broth if the sauce has thickened too much.
- Reheat in the microwave: Place a serving in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30–60 second intervals, stirring in between. Add a little liquid if needed to keep the sauce creamy.
More Easy Chicken Dinners
If you try this easy chicken pasta recipe, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, subscribe to our mailing list to receive more delicious recipes straight to your inbox.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta noodles, cooked al dente according to package instructions
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 pound ground chicken or turkey
- 1/2 packet (about 1½ tablespoons) Italian salad dressing mix*
- 1 cup half and half, heavy cream works too
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese, I use 4%, the higher the fat content the better
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups fresh baby spinach
- fresh parsley, for garnish
- salt and pepper, to taste
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Instructions
- Add 8 ounces penne pasta noodles to a pot of boiling salted water. Cook al dente according to package instructions.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil in a large pan or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the 1 pound ground chicken or turkey and cook over medium to medium-high heat, breaking it into small pieces. As the meat finishes browning, incorporate the 1/2 packet (about 1½ tablespoons) Italian salad dressing mix*.
- Meanwhile make the cream sauce by combining 1 cup half and half, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/2 cup cottage cheese, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese in a food processor or small blender, and blend until combined. Transfer to a saucepan, add 1/4 cup chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, and simmer on low heat until it thickens.
- After the sauce thickens, combine your drained pasta noodles, ground meat, cream sauce, and 1 ½ cups fresh baby spinach in the pasta pot.
- Gently stir everything together. Let it cook for a minute or two, just until the spinach is wilted.
- Serve topped with more parmesan cheese and fresh parsley or basil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
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Absolutely loved this dish! Everything came together fast and easy, and the flavor was incredible. Definitely a new staple for my pasta nights.