The weather cooled off here in Vancouver so it was creamy chicken and spinach pasta for yesterday night. It is a hearty all-in-one meal that is fast, easy, and delicious.
The creamy pasta is always a winning idea in our home but with each version, I do something different. I elevated this one with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh baby spinach, and chicken cubes. In fact, you will find several recipes with the same ingredients I just did it in my own way. Not sure why it is called Tuscan Pasta. I just know that if you have loved my creamy tomato and spinach pasta or creamy chicken, you’re sure to love this creamy chicken and spinach pasta. It’s so good and so easy. Plus my family loves and devours it.
It’s a great recipe to come home after work, throw together and have ready in no time. You cook the pasta, stir-fry the chicken cubes, make the creamy sauce, and stir in the pasta, spinach, and chicken. The creamy sauce is flavored with onion, garlic, paprika, black pepper, sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, and Italian seasoning. It has an amazingly rich flavor with an irresistibly smooth sauce that lightly coats the pasta.
When I was cooking chicken for pasta I had to shed a tear because I would always give some chicken to truffles. I kept boiled (shredded) chicken in the freezer for him. Truffles was our Pomeranian, whom we lost two weeks ago. It’s hurting immensely. I cannot talk about him without crying. He was such a wonderful boy and everybody who met him loved him. Getting back into a normal life right now is the hardest thing to do because mine usually revolved around Truffles’ needs. I’m trying one day at a time to deal with the loss and cope with change. Because in the end, we have his wonderful memories etched into our minds and heart.
My head is refusing to cooperate with my fingers but I’m leaving you all with this wonderful recipe. I hope it becomes a favorite in your house as it is in ours. Enjoy!
Garlicky, cheesy, creamy and delicious spinach and chicken pasta
Ingredients
- 2 (550 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 8 oz gluten free penne pasta
- 1 1/4 cup cream (can use more, I'm using 33% fat cream but if yours is 36% reduce the amount)
- 1/2 cup broth
- 4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/2 cup sun dried tomato, thinly chopped
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- salt and black pepper to taste
- Crushed chili to taste
- 3 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp oil from the sun-dried tomatoes to pan fry, divided
- 3 handfuls baby spinach
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to the boil and cook the gluten free pasta according to package directions to al dente. Reserve some pasta water.
- Chop chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces and place into a bowl. Stir in the 1 tbsp oil (from sun-dried tomatoes), garlic, salt, and paprika.
- Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add chicken in a single layer and cook undisturbed until golden brown. Flip and continue to cook until cooked through about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove chicken in a bowl. In the same pan add one table olive oil (from sun dried tomatoes). Add chopped onion. Saute.
- Add cream, chicken broth, paprika, sun dried tomatoes. let it come to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Add spinach and stir until wilted.
- Add hot penne pasta and Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine.
- Add the cooked chicken cubes back in. Give it a quick stir. Add salt and crushed red chili to taste. Add a little more Parmesan cheese on top right before serving.
Taking this Creamy Pasta to Dee’s Linky Party 87, and What’s for dinner.
angiesrecipes
Truffles looks so so cute and sweet. Pets are the family and losing a member is always hard. (((HUG)))
The pasta with chicken looks great!
Balvinder
Thank you, Angie!
He kept the cute puppy looks his entire life. Every time he went for a walk people would ask us if they could pet him.
Judee
Balvinder,
Losing a pet is such a difficult loss.. Truffles looks so sweet. It sounds like he Brought you and all those he met much joy. so sorry for your loss.Your chicken dish looks really good.
Balvinder
Thank you, Judee!
Every day we had him we thought how blessed and happy we were to have him in our life…it’s just so very hard to accept that he’s gone.
Healthy World Cuisine
So sorry to hear about Truffles. Sending lots of virtual hugs your way – such a cutie. Cooking and getting back in there is the best way to deal with grief. This pasta dish looks extra creamy and delish.
Balvinder
Thank you, Bobby. Truffles was just like my kid and his loss is a big change in my routine.
HAPPY that you like the pasta.
sherry
so sorry to hear about your furbaby. sending condolences. THis chicken sauce sounds marvellous tho 🙂
Balvinder
Thank you for the comforting words, Sherry!
2pots2cook
Since our Tessa passed away, we never had any other dog. Loosing member of your family is unreplaceable. So sorry for your loss!
Balvinder
So true. I won’t be able to replace either.
Pattie
I am so sorry that you lost your sweet Pom! Pets are always so loving and forgiving. It tears your heart out when they pass away. Despite the shedding of a tear during the making of this dish, it certainly looks delicious.
Balvinder
Yep, it hurts like hell when we loose them.