#CreamyTuscanChickenPasta

[forkfulofflavor]

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake A deliciously creamy pasta bake featuring tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach, all topped with melted Parmesan cheese for a comforting meal. Ingredients 16 oz. penne pasta, cooked al dente 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken fillets 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning Salt and pepper, to taste 1 tablespoon olive oil / oil from sun-dried tomatoes 2 tablespoons butter, divided 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup julienne-cut sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and chopped 2 cups heavy cream 1 cup milk 5 oz. fresh baby spinach, about 4-5 cups tightly packed 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated Instructions Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside. Season the chicken fillets with salt and pepper on both sides. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Cook the chicken fillets until golden brown and fully cooked, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and cut them into slices or bite-sized pieces. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside. Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in the same skillet and sauté the sun-dried tomatoes and garlic. Reduce the heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream and milk. Scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan and stir to mix them in with the sauce. Bring the sauce to a gentle boil and slowly add in the Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese melts smoothly into the sauce. Season with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and salt and pepper to taste. Do a taste test and adjust seasonings if needed. Simmer until the sauce has thickened, about 5 minutes. Add the spinach and stir until it wilts into the sauce. Combine the cooked pasta and chicken with any juices back into the skillet, stirring until well combined. Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish and sprinkle a little extra Parmesan on top. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top. Dish and serve hot. Enjoy!