Name: Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 x 250g/9oz chicken breast; 1/2 tsp smoked paprika; 1/2 tsp oregano; 1/4 tsp onion powder; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp sun dried tomato oil (or olive oil); 200g / 7oz linguine pasta (or other long-cut pasta); 1 tbsp butter; 3 cloves garlic, finely diced; 1 tbsp tomato puree (tomato paste); 80ml / 1/3 cup chicken stock; 160ml / 2/3 cup double or heavy cream; 90g / 3oz sun dried tomatoes, finely diced; 30g / 1oz freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra to serve; 2 tbsp fresh basil, finely diced, plus extra to serve (~1/2 bunch); 2 large handfuls baby spinach (~60g/2oz)

There’s something magical about a meal that combines rich, velvety sauce with tender chicken and fresh flavors. This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe has been my go-to when I want something impressive but incredibly easy — it’s got that perfect balance of creamy indulgence and bright herbs that always wins everyone over at the table.

This close-up image shows a creamy pasta dish mixed directly in a large white bowl with a white marbled texture background. The pasta strands are long and coated in a rich, orange-tinted sauce with specks of herbs and spices. Small pieces of light brown cooked meat are scattered throughout, alongside halved cherry tomatoes adding bright red spots and thin strips of fresh green basil leaves on top. The creamy sauce clings to the noodles and meat, giving a smooth, rich texture, with some sauce residue visible on the bowl edges. A silver spatula with sauce on it rests inside the bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I cannot tell you how many times this recipe has saved me on a busy weeknight or wowed guests when I didn’t want to spend ages in the kitchen. The flavors are luxurious but the steps are straightforward — honestly, it feels like a cozy Italian restaurant in your own home.

Simple yet gourmet: It looks and tastes like you spent hours, but it's really quick to pull together.
Rich, creamy sauce: The perfect combo of sun-dried tomatoes, cream, and parmesan creates a silky sauce that clings beautifully to every strand of pasta.
Fresh herbs and greens: The basil and baby spinach add a pop of color and freshness that balances the creaminess.
Flexible and forgiving: You can easily tweak the seasoning or swap ingredients to match what you have on hand.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe really lies in how each ingredient complements the others. The chicken is seasoned just enough to be flavorful but doesn’t overpower the creamy sauce. Fresh garlic and sun-dried tomatoes bring savoriness and tang, while the Parmesan and cream provide that rich luscious texture you crave.

Flat lay of a single fresh raw chicken breast seasoned with smoked paprika, oregano, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, a small white ceramic bowl of sun dried tomato oil, a nest of uncooked linguine pasta, three fresh whole uncracked brown garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl with bright red tomato puree, a small white ceramic bowl of golden chicken stock, a small white ceramic bowl filled with creamy heavy cream, a small pile of finely diced deep red sun dried tomatoes, a small mound of freshly grated pale yellow Parmesan cheese, a small bunch of vibrant green fresh basil leaves, and a handful of fresh bright green baby spinach leaves all arranged symmetrically on a clean white ceramic plate placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breast: Slicing it thin lets it cook quickly and stay moist, and the smokey paprika and oregano bring just the right amount of warm spice.
Sun dried tomato oil: Using the oil from the jar intensifies the tomato flavor — you can sub olive oil if needed, but this little swap really elevates the dish.
Long-cut pasta (linguine): Its silky texture helps the sauce coat each strand perfectly; feel free to use fettuccine or tagliatelle too.
Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create the base for your sauce when combined with garlic.
Garlic: Fresh, finely diced garlic adds that essential aromatic lift — don’t rush it, but be careful not to burn!
Tomato puree: Gives depth and slight tang, helping balance the creaminess and keep the sauce from feeling too heavy.
Chicken stock: Boosts savory flavors without overwhelming — homemade or quality store-bought both work nicely.
Double/Heavy cream: This is what makes the sauce silky and indulgent — I recommend full fat for the best texture.
Sun dried tomatoes: Adds chewy bites of intense tomato flavor — I like them chopped small so every forkful gets a burst.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan melts smoothly into the sauce and adds nutty, salty richness.
Fresh basil: Adds a peppery, sweet freshness that brightens the whole dish.
Baby spinach: Wilts beautifully into the sauce, sneaking in some greens without overpowering the flavors.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to tweak this dish depending on what’s in my fridge and who I’m feeding. Sometimes I swap the spinach for kale or arugula for a different peppery vibe, and other times I add a pinch of chili flakes to the sauce for a little kick. You should feel free to make it your own — the creamy Tuscan chicken pasta recipe is a great canvas for your ideas.

Variation: I once replaced half the chicken with crispy pancetta for extra smokiness — everyone loved the twist. If you want a vegetarian version, swap chicken for mushrooms or tofu and simmer longer for deep flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe

A deep white bowl holds a serving of creamy pasta with three main layers: long yellow spaghetti noodles twirled in the bottom and middle, topped with thick strips of light brown cooked chicken mixed throughout, all coated in a rich orange sauce with a smooth texture. Small green basil leaves and bits of spinach are scattered on top, adding touches of fresh green color. The bowl sits on a wooden board placed over a white marbled surface, with a silver fork in the bottom right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken

Start by slicing the chicken breast horizontally to get two thin cutlets — this is key for even, quick cooking. Pat them dry, then sprinkle each side with smoked paprika, oregano, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Heat your sun-dried tomato oil in a pan over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add the chicken. Let it sear undisturbed for about 3 minutes until beautifully charred underneath, then flip and cook for another 3 minutes. You want it just cooked through, as it’ll finish cooking later. Set aside and slice just before tossing in the pasta.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta & Build the Sauce

While the chicken is resting, get your pasta boiling in well-salted water and cook until al dente. Don’t drain it! Leave some pasta water to adjust your sauce later. Lower your pan heat to medium and melt the butter. Add garlic and fry briefly — just 10 to 20 seconds, so it’s fragrant but not burnt. Stir in the tomato puree and cook for another minute to deepen that rich flavor.

Step 3: Bring on the Cream and Veggies

Pour in the chicken stock and double cream, stirring to combine. Then add the finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, diced fresh basil, and freshly grated Parmesan. Bring it gently to a simmer, stirring occasionally — you want the sauce thickening but not breaking. Toss in the baby spinach and stir until it just starts wilting; it will continue to soften in the heat of the sauce and pasta.

Step 4: Combine Pasta and Chicken, Adjust & Serve

Use tongs to transfer the pasta straight from the pot into the pan with your sauce — no draining, so you keep some pasta water to help loosen things up if needed. Add the sliced chicken along with all those wonderful resting juices. Toss everything together carefully, letting the sauce thicken and cling to the pasta. If the sauce gets too thick, splash in some leftover pasta water to get the perfect consistency. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Serve immediately, topped with extra basil and Parmesan if you like.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few hacks to make this creamy Tuscan chicken pasta recipe turn out just right every single time. These insights come from the times I overcooked the chicken or ended up with a watery sauce — trust me, small adjustments make all the difference.

Even slicing: Cut your chicken breast horizontally into even pieces so they cook uniformly and don’t dry out.
Gentle garlic frying: Watch the garlic like a hawk when frying; burnt garlic turns bitter and can sabotage the whole sauce.
Sauce consistency: The sauce should start thick and creamy before you toss in the pasta — if it’s too thin, it won’t coat properly.
Pasta water magic: Reserve some pasta water and use it to loosen the sauce just enough — this trick helps your sauce cling beautifully without being watery.

How to Serve Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe

Creamy Tuscan Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love finishing this dish with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan and torn fresh basil leaves on top — it adds that extra burst of aroma and freshness. Sometimes I’ll drizzle a little good-quality olive oil to make the pasta shine even more.

Side Dishes

This creamy pasta pairs beautifully with something light and crunchy, like a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette or roasted asparagus. For a more rustic feel, I often serve it with crusty garlic bread to soak up every last drop of the sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

When I’ve had guests over, I’ll plate each serving in shallow bowls and garnish with a sprig of basil and a swirl of olive oil. It adds a restaurant touch that makes the meal feel extra special without fuss. You can even divide the pasta into mini ramekins to serve individual portions at a dinner party.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge — it keeps well for up to 2 days. The sauce thickens overnight, so I recommend adding a splash of milk or cream when reheating to bring back that creamy texture.

Freezing

I've had mixed success freezing this creamy pasta because the cream can separate when thawed. If you want to freeze it, freeze the pasta and chicken separately from the sauce, then gently reheat and combine. This reduces the risk of the sauce becoming grainy.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer gently warming the pasta in a pan over low heat with a splash of cream or stock to loosen the sauce. Microwaving works too but stirring halfway through helps keep it creamy and prevents drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs will add extra juiciness and flavor. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time since thighs can take a bit longer to cook through. Slice them thinly to keep the timing similar.

What’s the best way to avoid the sauce becoming watery?

Make sure to simmer the sauce until it thickens properly before adding pasta. Also, tossing the pasta directly into the sauce with a bit of reserved pasta water helps the sauce cling to the pasta without thinning out too much.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Swap the double cream for coconut cream or a dairy-free heavy cream alternative, and use a vegan Parmesan substitute or nutritional yeast. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.

How do I keep the chicken tender and juicy?

Slicing the chicken breast thinly means it cooks quickly and stays tender. Don’t overcook when searing—3 minutes per side usually does the trick. Let the chicken rest a bit before slicing so the juices redistribute.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe is one of those dishes that I always find myself coming back to. It feels special but isn’t intimidating, full of flavors that bring comfort and excitement in every bite. I hope you give it a try soon and enjoy it as much as I do — it’s truly a kitchen hug on a plate!