If you’re looking for a rich, comforting dinner that feels like a warm hug on a plate, you’ve got to try this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe. I absolutely love how the creamy sauce clings to every bite of rigatoni, mingling with juicy sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and perfectly seasoned chicken. When I first tried this recipe, it quickly became a household favorite, and honestly, I find myself making it whenever I want to impress with minimal fuss. Stick around—I’ll walk you through all my best tips to make this fan-freaking-tastic dish totally foolproof!

❤️

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfectly Creamy: The luscious sauce combines heavy cream and parmesan for that dreamy, velvety texture you crave.
Juicy Chicken Every Time: A simple spice blend and olive oil pan-sear locks in flavor and tenderness.
Easy Weeknight Winner: It’s surprisingly quick to pull together, making busy evenings way more delicious.
Versatile Ingredients: Uses pantry staples and fresh ingredients you can find easily anywhere.

The dish is a white bowl filled with creamy rigatoni pasta. The rigatoni tubes are thick and coated in a smooth, light orange sauce. Mixed throughout are small, halved cherry tomatoes in bright red, wilted green spinach leaves, and pieces of light-colored chicken. The texture looks creamy with bits of fresh herbs sprinkled on top. The bowl is placed on a wooden board set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta, Tuscan Chicken Pasta recipe, creamy pasta with chicken and sun-dried tomatoes, easy Tuscan chicken pasta, healthy creamy chicken pasta

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe blends straightforward pantry staples with fresh flavors that elevate the dish into something really special. I always recommend softening the sun-dried tomatoes in hot water—it helps them blend beautifully into the sauce without any chewiness.

Flat lay of two boneless skinless chicken breasts, a small white bowl of olive oil, a small white bowl of paprika powder, a small white bowl of garlic powder, a small white bowl of kosher salt, a small white bowl of black pepper, a portion of cooked rigatoni pasta noodles, a small white bowl of unsalted butter, a small white bowl of finely diced shallot, a small white bowl of chopped softened sun-dried tomatoes, a small white bowl of minced garlic, a small white bowl of tomato paste, a small white bowl of dried oregano, a small white bowl of heavy cream, a small white bowl of milk, fresh spinach leaves, grated parmesan cheese in a small white bowl, halved cherry tomatoes, and a few sprigs of fresh parsley 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 - Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta, Tuscan Chicken Pasta recipe, creamy pasta with chicken and sun-dried tomatoes, easy Tuscan chicken pasta, healthy creamy chicken pasta

Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Get quality chicken breasts, and make sure they’re patted dry before cooking for a nice sear.
Olive oil: Use extra virgin for the best flavor when searing chicken and sautéing shallots.
Paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper: These simple spices build a flavorful base for the chicken and pasta sauce.
Rigatoni pasta noodles: Rigatoni’s ridges hold the creamy sauce beautifully; cook al dente for the best texture.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness to the sauce and helps meld all the flavors together.
Shallot: Finely diced for a slightly sweet, mild onion flavor that brightens the sauce.
Sun-dried tomatoes: Soften them first to bring out their sweet and tangy notes without any toughness.
Garlic: Minced fresh garlic provides a punch of aroma essential to Tuscan cuisine.
Tomato paste: Adds depth and a subtle umami boost to the sauce.
Oregano: Classic Italian herb that complements the creamy sauce beautifully.
Heavy cream and milk: The perfect combo to make the sauce luscious without being too heavy.
Fresh spinach: Stirred in at the end for a burst of color and nutrition.
Parmesan cheese: Grated fresh is key for that sharp, nutty flavor that really makes the sauce sing.
Cherry tomatoes: Halved and added for fresh bursts of sweetness and color.
Fresh parsley: Chopped and sprinkled on top for a fresh herbal finish.
Salt and pepper: To taste, adjust at the end for balance.

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.

Variations

I love how flexible the Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe is. Feel free to swap ingredients or try adaptations depending on your mood or what’s in your fridge. You can easily make it your own without losing the soul of this dish.

Protein tweak: I sometimes use Italian sausage or shrimp instead of chicken for a fun twist—both work beautifully in the creamy sauce.
Veggie boost: Toss in mushrooms or roasted red peppers for extra depth and texture; it’s my go-to when I want to bulk it up with veggies.
Dairy-free version: Use coconut cream and dairy-free cheese alternatives, and swap butter for olive oil to keep that silky feel.
Spice level: Add red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce if you like a bit of heat; we often crank it up a notch when entertaining friends.

How to Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Season & Sear the Chicken

Start by seasoning the chicken breasts with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. I like to press the seasoning in well so every bite is flavorful. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for about 6-7 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. A quick tip: let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing—it keeps all those juices locked in.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta Al Dente

While the chicken cooks, boil your rigatoni pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. I always taste a piece a minute before the suggested time to make sure it’s just right—still a little firm but easy to bite through. Drain and set aside, reserving a cup of pasta water just in case you need to loosen the sauce later.

Step 3: Build the Creamy Tuscan Sauce

In the same skillet used for the chicken (less dishes—yay!), melt the butter with the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Toss in the finely diced shallot and sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add the softened chopped sun-dried tomatoes and minced garlic, cooking for another minute. Stir in tomato paste, oregano, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, letting the flavors bloom for a couple of minutes before slowly stirring in the heavy cream and milk. Simmer gently until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.

Step 4: Finish with Spinach, Cheese & Pasta

Stir in fresh spinach and let it wilt completely—this adds a welcome freshness and color contrast. Once the spinach is incorporated, add grated parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and silky. Then, gently fold the cooked rigatoni into the sauce, tossing to coat every noodle perfectly. If the sauce seems too thick, splash a little pasta water to loosen it.

Step 5: Plate & Garnish

Slice the rested chicken breasts and arrange atop the creamy pasta. Scatter halved cherry tomatoes and freshly chopped parsley over the dish for a bright pop of color and fresh flavor. Serve immediately for the best experience—your kitchen is about to smell amazing!

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe

Don’t Skip Resting the Chicken: Letting the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking keeps it juicy and tender.
Use Fresh Parmesan: Grate your own fresh parmesan cheese—it melts better and gives a richer flavor than pre-grated.
Control Sauce Consistency: Adjust thickness with reserved pasta water to get that perfect creamy texture without being too heavy.
Softening Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Soaking them in hot water before chopping avoids any unwanted chewiness, especially in creamy dishes.

How to Serve Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe

A white bowl filled with creamy rigatoni pasta covered in a light orange sauce with small pieces of green herbs and red tomato chunks. The pasta tubes are thick and slightly shiny, coated evenly with sauce. In the foreground, a woman's hand holds a silver fork lifting a single pasta piece, showing the smooth sauce and bits of tomato and herbs on it. The background is softly blurred with green tones. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta, Tuscan Chicken Pasta recipe, creamy pasta with chicken and sun-dried tomatoes, easy Tuscan chicken pasta, healthy creamy chicken pasta

Garnishes

I shy away from overly complicated garnishes here—the magic is in simplicity. A sprinkle of extra fresh parmesan and chopped parsley really elevates the look and flavor without stealing the show. Cherry tomatoes add the perfect burst of color and a hint of sweetness that balances the creaminess.

Side Dishes

For sides, I often reach for a crisp green salad dressed simply with lemon and olive oil or some garlic roasted asparagus. A crusty bread, like a warm baguette, is fantastic for soaking up any leftover sauce—my family goes crazy for that part!

Creative Ways to Present

When I’m serving this for guests or a special occasion, I love plating it in shallow bowls to showcase the creamy sauce pooled under the sliced chicken, sprinkled with microgreens or even edible flowers for a pop of elegance. A drizzle of good quality olive oil right before serving adds a beautiful glossy finish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Because of the cream and cheese, it’s best to consume it soon to enjoy the freshest texture and flavor. When reheating, I usually warm it gently on the stove instead of the microwave to avoid curdling.

Freezing

Freezing creamy dishes can be tricky, but if you want to freeze this recipe, separate the chicken from the pasta and sauce before freezing. Freeze the sauce and pasta in one container and the chicken in another. Thaw overnight in the fridge, and recombine gently when reheating to keep textures intact.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the pasta sauce and rigatoni in a skillet over low heat, stirring frequently. Add a splash of milk or pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Reheat the chicken separately in a pan or microwave, then plate and combine just before serving to maintain juiciness.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta for Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe?

Absolutely! While rigatoni is ideal because its ridges hold the creamy sauce well, you can swap in penne, fusilli, or even farfalle. Just cook it al dente to avoid mushiness since it will also cook a little when tossed with the sauce.
Is this recipe suitable for a low-carb diet?

If you’re avoiding pasta carbs, consider swapping rigatoni for zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles. The sauce and chicken are naturally low-carb and will still taste fantastic with those alternatives.
How do I prevent the cream sauce from breaking?

Keep the sauce simmering gently on medium to low heat, and avoid boiling it vigorously. Also, stir frequently and add cheese gradually to help it meld smoothly without separating.
Can I make this dish dairy-free?

Yes! Use coconut cream or a cashew cream substitute instead of heavy cream and milk, swap butter for olive oil, and choose a dairy-free cheese alternative. Adjust seasoning to taste because non-dairy versions can alter the flavor slightly.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Recipe is one of those dishes that makes weeknights feel special and weekends feel indulgent—all at the same time. I love how easy it comes together and how every forkful is packed with layers of flavor, from the juicy chicken to the velvety sauce to the fresh burst of tomatoes and spinach. Trust me, once you make it, it’ll quickly become your go-to recipe for feeding loved ones with comfort and style. So go on, bring your kitchen alive with this creamy, dreamy pasta—you won’t regret it!