There's something magical about a rich, velvety pasta that instantly feels like a warm hug, and this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe nails it every time. The blend of smoky chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil swirled through luscious cream makes it a real crowd-pleaser, perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekend dinners.

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

This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe is one of my absolute favorites because it feels fancy but comes together so easily. It’s that kind of dish where the ingredients pack bold flavors, yet the method keeps things straightforward.

Simple Ingredients: Everything you need is probably already in your kitchen or easy to grab, making this an achievable midweek dish.
Flavor-Packed Sauce: The sauce is creamy, tangy, and herbaceous all at once, with sun-dried tomatoes adding a beautiful depth.
Quick and Satisfying: Ready in about 35 minutes, it’s perfect for when you want something satisfying but don’t want to spend hours cooking.
Customizable: You can tweak the veggies, swap pastas, or even make it gluten-free with ease.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this dish plays a key role in building layers of flavor and richness. Here’s a quick rundown on what to look for and why I love each one.

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 thinly ensures quick cooking and juicy tenderness—plus it's easy to season evenly.
Smoked Paprika and Oregano: They bring that subtle smoky warmth and earthy herbal notes that elevate the chicken brilliantly.
Sun-Dried Tomato Oil: Using the oil from the jar adds concentrated tomato flavor right from the start, replacing plain olive oil.
Long-Cut Pasta (Linguine): Holds the sauce beautifully—feel free to substitute with fettuccine or penne if you prefer.
Butter: Adds a luxurious silkiness when melting the garlic and tomato puree.
Garlic: Fresh garlic is a must to give that comforting savory punch.
Tomato Puree: Intensifies the tomato flavor without overpowering the creaminess.
Chicken Stock: Provides depth and a gentle umami backdrop to the sauce.
Double/Heavy Cream: The star for creaminess—it thickens the sauce and brings everything together.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Finely diced, they’re bursts of tangy, chewy sweetness throughout the pasta.
Parmesan: Freshly grated adds salty, nutty umami that laces through the sauce.
Fresh Basil: Brightens the dish with an herbal lift that balances the richness.
Baby Spinach: Adds color, nutrition, and soft texture 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 always encourage you to treat this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe as a canvas. I’ve played around with different veggies and herbs depending on the season or what’s in the fridge—don’t hesitate to make it your own!

Variation: Sometimes I swap spinach for kale for a heartier bite, or add mushrooms for extra earthiness—it’s all delicious.
Dietary Twist: Use gluten-free pasta to keep it celiac-friendly, and swap double cream for coconut cream if you want a dairy-free spin.
Heat it Up: If you like a bit of a kick, stir in some crushed red pepper flakes alongside the garlic—it adds just the right amount of warmth.

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: Seasoning and Searing the Chicken

The first thing I do is slice the chicken breast horizontally to get two nice, even fillets. This helps them cook super fast and stay juicy. Then, I coat both sides with smoked paprika, oregano, onion powder, salt, and pepper — this combo adds subtle smoky taste and depth. I heat some sun-dried tomato oil in the pan until it’s shimmering, then add the chicken and fry it for about 3 minutes on each side. You want a light char but don't overcook; the chicken continues to cook a bit after resting.

Step 2: Cooking the Pasta and Building the Sauce

As soon as the chicken is resting on a plate, I throw the linguine into boiling salted water. Don’t drain it after cooking—this starchy water becomes handy for adjusting the sauce later. Then, drop the heat to medium and melt butter in the same pan. Quickly toss in the garlic and cook until fragrant—no more than 20 seconds to avoid burning. Stir in tomato puree and let that fry gently for about a minute. Next, pour in chicken stock and cream, then add diced sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and Parmesan. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer while stirring.

Step 3: Finishing Touches and Combining Everything

At this stage, I toss the baby spinach into the sauce, just until it starts to wilt—remember it continues to go soft once off heat. Using tongs, I move the cooked pasta straight from the pot to the pan. Then add back the sliced chicken and all the resting juices too. Toss everything together until the sauce thickens and clings to the pasta perfectly. If the sauce is too thick, a splash of that reserved pasta water works wonders to loosen it without losing creaminess. Finally, I adjust salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that make this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe foolproof—and I’m excited to share them so your version turns out just right!

Chicken Thickness: Make sure to slice the chicken breast thinly and evenly so it cooks quickly and stays tender—don’t skip this for even cooking.
Garlic Timing: Garlic cooks quickly and burns easily, so add it right before your tomato puree and watch closely; burnt garlic can turn the sauce bitter.
Sauce Consistency: The sauce may feel thick early on—that’s normal. It’ll loosen once the pasta and spinach join in, so be patient and adjust with pasta water as needed.
Resting Chicken: Let the chicken rest after searing to lock in juices. Also, slicing it right before combining helps keep the texture perfect in the final dish.

How to Serve Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe

Creamy Tuscan Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always finish with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan and a handful of torn fresh basil leaves—these simple garnishes brighten and balance the richness beautifully. Sometimes, I add a light drizzle of high-quality olive oil to make it extra indulgent.

Side Dishes

This pasta pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad or some roasted vegetables like asparagus or zucchini. For bread lovers, a slice of crusty garlic bread or a warm baguette is great to scoop up every bit of the creamy sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re hosting dinner, serve this creamy Tuscan chicken pasta in shallow bowls with a sprig of basil perched on top and a little extra Parmesan at the side. I’ve also tried layering it in glass casserole dishes for a family-style presentation—it looks gorgeous and makes sharing easy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I pop any leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 2 days. The sauce thickens in the fridge, so when reheating, I add a splash of milk or cream to bring back that luscious texture.

Freezing

While I’ve frozen the sauce on its own with good results, I prefer not to freeze the full chicken pasta combo, as the cream sauce can separate. If you want to freeze, store the chicken and pasta separately from the sauce for best texture when thawed.

Reheating

Reheating gently on the stovetop works best for me. Use low heat, stir often, and add a splash of cream or pasta water to revive the sauce's creaminess without drying out the chicken or pasta.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are juicier and more forgiving if slightly overcooked. Just watch the cooking time, as they may need a bit longer to cook through.

Can I prepare this recipe in advance?

You can prep the chicken and diced sun-dried tomatoes a day ahead and keep them refrigerated, but I recommend cooking the pasta and combining everything fresh to enjoy the best texture and flavor.

What type of pasta works best for this recipe?

Long-cut pastas like linguine or fettuccine work beautifully, as their shape holds onto the creamy sauce well. However, penne or rigatoni are also good alternatives if you prefer shorter pasta.

How do I prevent the cream sauce from breaking?

Keep the heat low when adding the cream and avoid boiling the sauce vigorously—gentle simmering helps keep it smooth. Stir frequently and add cream last for best results.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe has become my go-to for a quick but impressive meal. It’s all about the rich, comforting sauce paired with tender, well-seasoned chicken and fresh herbs—the kind of dish that makes you smile with every bite. I’m confident you’ll enjoy making and sharing this as much as I do. So grab your skillet, and let’s get cooking—you’re about to create a new favorite!