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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
Ingredients
- 1 jar (8 ounce) oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 4 teaspoons Italian seasoning (see note)
- 1 teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika
- red pepper flakes
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 medium shallot, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2-3 tablespoons crushed Calabrian chili paste
- 1 pound short cut pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
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.
Another recipe that knocks the ball out of the park. Will be repeating!
Thanks so much Clarisse! Love to hear this dish was enjoyed, thanks for making it! xx
Looks delicious. I want to make it for Valentines dinner. Any substitution for Calabrian chili paste? My small town grocery store doesn’t carry it. Cayenne?
Hi Elizabeth,
You could use a little sriracha, just depends how much heat you are looking for, otherwise just skip it. I hope you love this recipe! xT
Wow. I made this exactly how it is in the recipe and it was incredible. My new go-to dish. Great flavor and just the right amount of spice using 3 tbsp of the Calabrian peppers.
Thank you for trying out the recipe! I’m so so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂 xT
This was delicious! Made it for my husband tonight and it came out perfect. I did have to add a bit extra water for the pasta as it was still a bit too hard after 10 minutes. Super yummy!
Thank you for trying out the recipe Hayley! xT
Lovely Sunday night recipe with lots of leftovers for the week! Loved the idea of boiling the pasta noodles directly within the sauce. All the flavours balance out so nicely. Definitely adding this to the rotation!
Hey there! So glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you so much for giving it a try! xT
Made this for my husband and I tonight! We are pescatarian and GF so we subbed the chicken with cauliflower and used GF pasta! It was delish!! We will be making this one again for sure!
Thank you so much for giving the recipe a try! So glad you enjoyed it! xT
I really liked this! I subbed oatly oat milk for the heavy cream since I had it at home, and it was still great.
I made a half portion and I did have to up the cooking time and increase water, probably added 1 extra cup total.
Thank you sooo much for trying out this recipe! Hope your New Year is off to an awesome start! xT
Hello!
Quick question, after cooking the chicken should you drain any chicken juices, or do you add the parmesan cheese to the chicken with juices?
Thank you,
Sara
Rarely say this, but wonderful! I added some of my own touches (added spicy Italian sausage, a touch truffle, more, garlic, fresh Asiago and Parmesan, roasted pine nuts). Made it tonight and have already shared the recipe multiple times. Thank you!
Thanks sooo much! Love to hear that this recipe was a success! xT
Going to make tonight – soon. Tongan would you still recommend same amount of water or increase it some based on reviews? Also would chicken broth take it to next level or unnecessary???
Hi Tracy,
You can follow this recipe as written:) Chicken broth would also work well for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Made exactly as written. Was delicious!!! (Although pasta definitely needed to cook a tad longer.) Flavors were amazing!!! I have leftovers and wonder what’s best way to add moisture back in when reheating without compromising flavors?
Hey Tracy,
I appreciate you trying this recipe and your review, so glad it was delish! I would just add some cream as needed. xT
I love this recipe! Any suggestions if it gets watery? I doubled the recipe and the amount of water but it turned out a bit too watery and then not too creamy
Hi Andrea,
Happy Wednesday!! So glad to hear that you enjoyed this dish, thanks a lot for trying it out! Doubling pasta recipes can be tricky, I would do 2 separate batches next time:) xT
My family loves your recipes. I made this!! Delish! I cut down on the spice a good bit but it was still spicy and so good!
Hi Susan,
That’s fantastic to hear! Thanks for trying this dish and your comment, love that it was enjoyed! xT
Just made this and am floored: absolutely delicious!!! 10/10. I love your recipes so so much!!!
Thank you so much! Hope you have a great fall season! 🙂 xT
Do you drain the pasta before adding the cream?
I think this might be my favorite recipe…ever! I’ve made it countless times since discovering it and it never gets old. Everyone I make it for asks for the recipe. I’m curious about a vegetarian alternative as many of my friends are vegetarian. Sub mushrooms? Just omit the chickent entierly?
Wow thank you so so much Riley! Hmm maybe some mushrooms and zucchini would be yummy? xT
Thanks! I’m going to try oyster mushrooms tonight! 🤞🏻
My favorite half baked harvest pasta recipe, EVER!
Thank you sooo much Cassidy! 🙂 xT