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This simple one pot Spicy Tuscan Chicken Pasta is the perfect winter dinner. Quick, easy, hearty, and so delicious! Pan-seared Italian seasoned chicken in a creamy Italian chili sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. Cooked together with rigatoni pasta for a quick dinner made in one pot. Truly one of those all-in-one dinners that everyone at the table will love. Elegant enough for a special holiday dinner yet equally great to make at the end of a busy day. You can’t go wrong with this Tuscan-style pasta.

Spicy Tuscan Chicken Pasta| halfbakedharvest.com

Growing up, Valentine’s Day was definitely more of a holiday celebrated at school than at home. In our house, a house full of boys, no one cared much for Valentine’s Day. Even my mom, who you’d think might have some interest, does not care for the holiday. My dad refers to it as a “Hallmark Holiday“.

But there was one person in my life who always made Valentine’s Day special, my Nonnie. No matter where she was, Florida or Cleveland, she’d send us a small gift for V-Day every year. She always made it special and fun.

Spicy Tuscan Chicken Pasta| halfbakedharvest.com

I can’t say that Valentine’s Day is my favorite day of the year, but I honestly find the holiday of love to be very sweet. I love any excuse to bake chocolate and make a yummy dinner that feels super special.

On Friday, I shared what I’ll be making for my Valentine’s Day dessert. With today’s pasta we now have a full Valentine’s Day meal (I do have another fun dessert coming tomorrow too!)

And if where you live is as booked up for dinner reservations as it is here in New York, you’re going to want to stay in and cook!! And this creamy Tuscan-style pasta, which also happens to be super easy, is just perfect.

Spicy Tuscan Chicken Pasta| halfbakedharvest.com

Here are details

I mentioned last week sometime that I’ve really been enjoying cooking with Italian jarred Calabrian chili paste. I’m finding it so delicious and a great way to add a small amount of spice to my Italian-inspired dishes.

I wanted to make a red pasta for Valentine’s Day that was not tomato based. It’s funny, this is actually a request I get often. Apparently, not everyone enjoys a tomato heavy pasta.

Spicy Tuscan Chicken Pasta| halfbakedharvest.com

You’ll want to start with sun-dried tomatoes in oil. Yes, these are tomatoes, but they’re stirred, and so different than fresh or canned. I love them so much. Drain the oil and save that for cooking. Then chop the tomatoes.

Now add the chicken and Italian seasoning to a big pot that will also fit your pasta. Cook the chicken until browned, then add a bit of parmesan cheese. The cheese melts on the chicken, then turns crispy.

Once you’ve cooked the chicken, add the chilies and other spices/seasonings into the pot with some oil. Let that cook for a minute, then add water to the pot and bring it to a boil. Now add the pasta and let the pasta cook until it’s al dente.

At this point, all you need to do is add some milk or cream and a handful of spinach. Then more parmesan and mix, mix, mix.

Spicy Tuscan Chicken Pasta| halfbakedharvest.com

As soon as the cheese melts. Serve the pasta directly from the pot with fresh basil on top. It’s going to smell and look incredible, so you’ll want to eat it all up right away!

I recommend some soft bread on the side like a garlic roll or maybe beer bread. A crusty no-knead bread could also be delicious.

Then a big Caesar-style salad would be great as well! Super elegant, even romantic meal, right? It could be wonderful for tomorrow night! Hope you all enjoy this as much as I do!

Spicy Tuscan Chicken Pasta| halfbakedharvest.com

Looking for winter pasta recipes? Here are a few ideas: 

Pesto Tortellini Zuppa Toscana

Creamy Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash Pasta

One Pot French Onion Pasta with Crispy Prosciutto

Basil Parmesan Pasta with Crispy Chicken, Prosciutto, and Arugula

southerSouthern Style Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Lastly, if you make this Spicy Tuscan Chicken Pasta be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!

Spicy Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 622 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Instructions

  • 1. Drain 3 tablespoons of oil from the sun-dried tomato jar into a large pot or skillet with sides. Chop the sun-dried tomatoes and set aside.
    2. Set the pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning, the paprika, and a pinch each of red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Cook until golden brown, 5 minutes. Add 1/4 cup parmesan, cook another minute, then remove the chicken from the pot.
    3. To the same pot, add a drizzle of oil and the butter. Add the shallot, garlic, Calabrian chili paste, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Cook until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add 3 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, add the pasta, and cook, stirring often, until the pasta is al dente, 8 minutes. Stir in the cream, spinach, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and remaining 3/4 cup parmesan. Slide the chicken in, and any juices left on the plate.
    4. Serve the pasta topped with fresh parmesan and basil.

Notes

Italian Seasoning: Mix 2 tablespoons dried basil, 2 tablespoons dried oregano, 2 teaspoons dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, and 1 teaspoon dried sage. Store in a sealed container.
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Spicy Tuscan Chicken Pasta| halfbakedharvest.com

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Excellent! I didn’t have the chili paste, but it was still wonderful! Will definitely make again, this time with the chili paste

  2. 5 stars
    Mmm this was divine. The smell of the pasta boiling in the garlic and shallot water made us so anxious to eat. We loved it. Had to sun whole milk since I was out of heavy cream and it was still great, would have been even better and more rich.

  3. Loved this recipe! made with kale and cooked penne pasta separately, added in to finish cooking for the last 1-2 mins. Used Trader joe’s Bomba hot sauce – fermented crushed calabrian peppers and it worked well, also substituted the heavy cream with 1% milk i had on hand.
    Easy weeknight dinner and will
    make again!

    1. Hey Winnie,
      Happy Wednesday!❄️ I appreciate you making this recipe and I’m so glad it turned out well for you! xT

    1. Hey Stacia,
      Happy Wednesday!❄️ I appreciate you making this recipe and I’m so glad it turned out well for you! xT

  4. This looks delicious! My boyfriend is a pescatarian – do you have another protein recommendation that is either vegetarian or pescatarian based?

    1. Hey Stefanie,
      Cauliflower or shrimp would also be great here! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx

    1. Hey Alicia,
      Happy Wednesday!❄️ I appreciate you making this recipe and I’m so glad it turned out well for you! xT

  5. This recipe is amazing! My family loved it. I substituted a pepper paste I had in the fridge and it worked perfectly. I used penne and that also worked just fine. Loved that is was all made in just one pot. Will be making this again and again! Thank you for all the great and inspiring recipes.

    1. Hey Tara,
      Unfortunately, not really:) You can use tomato paste, it’s just not going to give the same flavors. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx

  6. 5 stars
    This was easy and delicious! I used Thai chili paste and it was perfect. I also had to add about a cup more water. My picky eater kids loved it and came back for seconds! Another winner to add to the rotation. Thank you Tieghan!!!

  7. 5 stars
    So good and so easy!

    Only deviation – I seared the chicken breasts whole and then baked in oven and shredded instead of cube in pan.

    So, so yummy!

    1. Hey Jennifer,
      Happy Monday!!💐 Thank you so much for making this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear it was a winner! xx

  8. When I check the link to Target this is the product that pops up. “Tomato, Garlic and Calabrian Chile Spread” Is this the paste to use.
    Recipe looks delish, I want to try it!

    1. Hey Leslie,
      Thanks so much for giving this dish a try and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it turned out well for you! xx

  9. Can I substitute Gochujang or Sambal Oelek for the “crushed Calabrian chili paste”? If so, would I use same quantity in your recipe?

    1. Hey Carol,
      I’m not sure I would recommend that, it’s going to give a totally different flavor in this dish. Let me know if I can help in any other way, I hope you love this recipe! xx

  10. 5 stars
    What a great weeknight recipe! I wasn’t able to find Calabrian chilis at the grocery store, so I just added extra paprika. It was still very delicious and my husband doesn’t like much spice anyway. He did convince me to add some green olives to the dish, along with substituting skim milk for cream, and both were great for the flavor and fat content.

    Keep up the great work of providing great recipes with wonderful flavors!

    1. Hey Deb,
      Happy Sunday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a lot for making it! xT

      1. Fantastic and so simple to make! Like many of you, I didn’t find the Calabrian paste …out of stock! I hit the pantry and used a red pepper/feta dip along with a generous 2 Tbs. of tomato paste. Unbelievable flavor and recipe! Even more delicious heated up covered in oven next day! You’ve done it once again Tieghan, bravo!