Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta with Melty Cheese

Welcome to a culinary adventure that will transport your taste buds straight to Tuscany – the land of rolling fields, bold flavors, and warm sunshine. This recipe for Cheesy Tuscan Chicken Rotini is a delicious symphony of juicy chicken, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and melty cheese, all intertwined with twirly rotini pasta. It’s a dish that strikes the perfect balance between comfort and sophistication, making it ideal for both a cozy family dinner or a casual gathering with friends.

Picture this: tender pieces of chicken sautéed to golden perfection, mingling with the intense sweetness of sun-dried tomatoes, and enveloped in a creamy, cheesy sauce that clings lovingly to each rotini twist. The aroma that fills your kitchen as you prepare this dish is simply irresistible, promising a dining experience that you will crave time and time again. Sun-drenched tomatoes have a way of adding a vibrant pop of flavor that elevates the entire dish, reminiscent of a leisurely stroll through the Italian countryside.

Whether you’re seeking a quick and easy weeknight meal or aiming to impress your loved ones with a special dinner, this Cheesy Tuscan Chicken Rotini recipe is a delightful choice. With a few simple ingredients and a touch of culinary magic, you can recreate a taste of Tuscany right in your own home. So grab a fork, twirl up some pasta, and savor the flavors of this comforting dish that promises to become a new favorite in your recipe collection.

Quick Benefits

• Quick and easy weeknight dinner option with simple ingredients
• Versatile recipe with options for ingredient substitutions based on availability
• Freezer-friendly meal that reheats beautifully for meal prep and batch cooking
• Offers a comforting and flavorful dining experience reminiscent of Tuscan cuisine

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta with Melty Cheese Recipe

• Savory and Comforting: Twirl creamy pasta around your fork with juicy chicken, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and melty cheese for a dish that’s comforting and satisfying.
• Easy Weeknight Dinner: Achievable on a busy weeknight, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a special dinner you’ll crave.
• Aromatic and Flavorful: Enjoy the amazing aroma in your kitchen while cooking, and savor the leftovers that taste even better the next day.
• Tuscan Flavors: Sun-dried tomatoes add a tangy punch and beautiful color, reminiscent of Tuscan fields, elevating the dish to a Mediterranean delight.
• Versatile and Flexible: Easily customize with pasta of your choice, swap sun-dried tomatoes for roasted red peppers, and adapt the cream with half-and-half or milk.
• Meal Prep Friendly: Store pasta and chicken separately for reheating, freeze portions for later, or make components ahead and combine before serving.
• Perfect Pairing: Enjoy this dish with a green salad, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread. Pair with a crisp white wine for a Mediterranean dining experience.
• Family Favorite: A recipe that impresses friends and becomes a family tradition. Picky eaters love it too!

Ingredients for Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta with Melty Cheese

Chicken

• 2 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 ounce Parmesan cheese, finely grated
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Kosher salt, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Pasta and Sauce

• 10 ounces rotini pasta
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 2 tablespoons oil from sun-dried tomatoes
• 2 ounces baby spinach
• 1/3 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
• 2.5 ounces sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1.75 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated

Pro Tips for Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta with Melty Cheese

Pro Tip 1: To keep the pasta and chicken fresh for leftovers, store them separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of cream or milk to revive the sauce. If freezing, cool completely before portioning into freezer bags for easy future meals.

Pro Tip 2: Feel free to customize this recipe based on what you have on hand. Substitute penne or fusilli for rotini, or swap sun-dried tomatoes for jarred roasted red peppers. You can also use kale or Swiss chard instead of baby spinach in colder months, and add seasonal vegetables like zucchini or roasted peppers for extra flavor and nutrients.

Pro Tip 3: For a twist on this recipe, try omitting the chicken and using sautéed mushrooms as a hearty alternative. This dish comes together quickly and is perfect for a special weeknight dinner that everyone will love.

How to Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta with Melty Cheese

Step 1: Cook Pasta

Cook rotini in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain well and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté Chicken Bites

Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes until chicken is cooked through and golden, stirring occasionally.

Step 3: Melt Cheese over Chicken

Lower the skillet heat to low. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan over the chicken. Cover and allow the cheeses to melt completely. Remove from heat and keep warm.

Step 4: Prepare Pasta Sauce

Heat sun-dried tomato oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and baby spinach; cook until spinach wilts. Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.

Step 5: Combine and Finish

Combine the reserved rotini with the sauce, tossing to coat evenly.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Portion the sauced pasta onto plates and add the cheesy Tuscan chicken bites on top. Garnish with fresh basil right before serving.

Storage Tips

Once you have prepared the Cheesy Tuscan Chicken Rotini, store any leftovers properly to maintain their flavors and textures. To store the dish in the refrigerator, place the pasta and chicken in separate airtight containers. This prevents the chicken from making the pasta mushy. When you’re ready to enjoy the leftovers, you can easily reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop in a covered skillet over low heat. Add a splash of cream or milk to revive the sauce and ensure a delicious second serving.

If you would like to freeze the Cheesy Tuscan Chicken Rotini for later enjoyment, allow the dish to cool completely before portioning it out into freezer bags. To reheat the frozen pasta, thaw it fully and then gently warm the sauce and chicken on the stovetop before combining them with freshly boiled pasta. This method helps preserve the dish’s flavors and textures for a tasty meal even after freezing. While it’s best enjoyed freshly made, this dish is freezer-friendly for batch cooking and convenient meal prep.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don’t have rotini pasta on hand, penne or fusilli are excellent substitutes as they hold the creamy sauce well. While olive oil is a great replacement for sautéing, using the oil from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes can add an extra layer of flavor depth to the dish. Remember to sauté the chicken just until golden and cooked through to prevent it from drying out. For a satisfying vegetarian alternative, you can omit the chicken and use sautéed mushrooms instead to maintain a hearty texture in the dish.

To keep the components fresh and flavorful, consider making them separately and combining them just before serving. This will help retain the best texture and taste. Additionally, you can swap baby spinach with kale or Swiss chard in colder months, or use cherry tomatoes when they are in season as a substitute for sun-dried tomatoes. Feel free to add extra veggies like fresh zucchini or roasted peppers for variety, especially during the summer months.

Serving Suggestions

For a creative twist, try serving this Cheesy Tuscan Chicken Rotini in individual baked pasta shells for a fun and elegant presentation. Simply spoon the creamy pasta mixture into jumbo pasta shells, sprinkle with extra cheese, and bake until golden and bubbly. This will make for a delightful dinner party dish or a special family meal.

Another serving suggestion is to layer the Cheesy Tuscan Chicken Rotini in a casserole dish with slices of grilled eggplant or zucchini for a delicious Mediterranean-inspired pasta bake. The roasted veggies will add a smoky flavor and extra texture to the dish, making it a satisfying and wholesome meal. Serve with a side of garlic bread and a crisp green salad to complete the experience.

FAQs for Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta with Melty Cheese

Can I use a different type of pasta instead of rotini?

Yes, penne or fusilli work well, though rotini helps hold the creamy sauce beautifully.

Can I substitute olive oil for the sun-dried tomato oil?

Olive oil is a great replacement, but sun-dried tomato oil adds extra flavor depth.

How long should I sauté the chicken for?

Sauté over medium heat just until golden and cooked through, then remove from heat to prevent drying.

Can I make a vegetarian version of this dish?

Omit the chicken and use sautéed mushrooms for a satisfying, hearty alternative.

Conclusion

As you prepare to make this delectable Cheesy Tuscan Chicken Rotini for your loved ones, remember that cooking is all about making it your own. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients, swap in your favorite veggies, or even try different types of pasta to suit your taste. The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility, so don’t be afraid to get creative in the kitchen!

The rich flavors of the sun-dried tomatoes, creamy cheese, and tender chicken all come together to create a dish that is both comforting and satisfying. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or planning a special dinner, this Cheesy Tuscan Chicken Rotini is sure to become a favorite at your table. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and get ready to enjoy a taste of Tuscany right in your own home. Let the aroma of this dish fill your kitchen and bring smiles to the faces of those you love. Enjoy making and savoring every bite of this Cheesy Tuscan Chicken Rotini!

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta with Melty Cheese

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Rotini: Juicy chicken, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and melty cheese combined in a comforting pasta dish perfect for busy weeknights.

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Prep Time20 min

Cook Time25 min

Total Time45 min

CuisineItalian-American

Skill LevelEasy

Servings4 Servings (Serves 4, about 1.5 cups per serving)

Ingredients

Chicken

• 2 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 ounce Parmesan cheese, finely grated
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Kosher salt, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Pasta and Sauce

• 10 ounces rotini pasta
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 2 tablespoons oil from sun-dried tomatoes
• 2 ounces baby spinach
• 1/3 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
• 2.5 ounces sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1.75 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

1. Cook Pasta: Cook rotini in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
2. Sauté Chicken Bites: Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes until chicken is cooked through and golden, stirring occasionally.
3. Melt Cheese over Chicken: Lower the skillet heat to low. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan over the chicken. Cover and allow the cheeses to melt completely. Remove from heat and keep warm.
4. Prepare Pasta Sauce: Heat sun-dried tomato oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and baby spinach; cook until spinach wilts. Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
5. Combine and Finish: Combine the reserved rotini with the sauce, tossing to coat evenly.
6. Serve and Garnish: Portion the sauced pasta onto plates and add the cheesy Tuscan chicken bites on top. Garnish with fresh basil right before serving.