Description
A flavorful and creamy Spicy Tuscan Chicken Pasta featuring tender cubed chicken, penne pasta, a rich tomato and heavy cream sauce, seasoned with garlic, red pepper flakes, and Italian herbs, topped with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Perfect for a quick yet indulgent weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
Chicken
- 1 pound chicken breast, cubed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Sauté Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken, season with salt and black pepper, and cook until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Add Tomatoes: Pour in the canned diced tomatoes with their juices. Stir to combine, then let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Make Cream Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Allow the sauce to thicken slightly while stirring occasionally.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together so that the sauce coats all ingredients evenly.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and stir until it melts into the sauce, creating a creamy texture.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the dish and add additional salt, black pepper, or red pepper flakes as desired for optimal flavor.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and let the dish cool slightly. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve immediately for best taste.
Notes
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your desired spice level.
- Use fresh Parmesan for best flavor and melting quality.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free alternative.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta; al dente texture holds better in the sauce.
- Fresh basil can be replaced with dried Italian herbs if fresh is unavailable.
