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Creamy Dump-and-Bake Tuscan Chicken Pasta

creamy dump-and-bake Tuscan chicken pasta - featured image
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A fuss-free, comforting one-dish meal featuring tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, baked to perfection.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces
  • 12 oz uncooked penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, loosely packed
  • 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (divided)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Toss with olive oil in a mixing bowl.
  3. Spread uncooked pasta evenly in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Scatter the seasoned chicken pieces on top.
  4. Add fresh spinach, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and minced garlic evenly over the chicken and pasta.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, remaining 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  6. Pour the creamy sauce evenly over the layered ingredients, pressing down gently so pasta is mostly submerged.
  7. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil or a fitting lid.
  8. Bake for 35-40 minutes, checking at 35 minutes for tender pasta and cooked chicken (internal temperature 165°F or 74°C).
  9. Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes to brown the top and thicken the sauce.
  10. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken and cling to the pasta.

Notes

Cover the dish tightly with foil to trap steam and ensure even cooking. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best sauce texture. Season chicken and sauce separately for depth of flavor. Check chicken doneness with a meat thermometer. Assemble ahead and refrigerate overnight if desired, adding extra baking time if baking cold. Add extra chicken broth if pasta absorbs too much liquid before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan chicken pasta, dump-and-bake pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy chicken dinner, one-dish pasta, comfort food, weeknight dinner

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