Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta recipe, packed with flavor from spinach, garlic, and sun dried tomatoes, your family will gobble this easy dinner right up!
Why this Recipe is best
This was one of those recipes that was meant to be. I had taken out 6 chicken breasts and the plan was to make homemade chicken nuggets…similar to Chick-fil-a.
However, as I was staring into my refrigerator I noticed my big container of fresh spinach and it said, “use me.”
Okay, really it said Use by April 6. But, regardless, I knew then I had to come up with something to do.
I got right to work making this delicious, EASY, dinner recipe!
Much like my Tuscan Garlic Chicken Pasta recipe, you’ll have tender chicken with a delicious, creamy tuscan sauce!
Prep the Chicken
Place raw chicken breast into a bowl and pour milk and lemon juice over the top. Cover and refrigerate for 2-4 hours. You can also do this in the morning, so that it’s ready at dinner time!
PRO TIP: Did you know that soaking the chicken in milk and lemon helps it become more tender for cooking?
Step by Step Instructions
The crust.
When ready to cook, create your chicken crust. In a pie plate, or shallow dish, combine flour, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and powdered sugar.
Drain chicken from milk marinade and dip into the flour, coating evenly.
Heat a large skillet with olive oil over medium high heat. Place chicken strips in hot skillet for about 3 minutes on each side. Remove and place onto a foil lined baking sheet.
Bake the chicken.
Bake chicken in 350 degree oven for about 18-20 minutes.
PRO TIP: If you smash your chicken with a meat tenderizer before dipping in coating, this helps it become the same thickness throughout, resulting in more even cooking.
Make the pasta and sauce.
While the chicken bakes, cook your linguine (or favorite pasta) according to package.
To make the sauce, using the same skillet as the chicken, add additional olive oil, scraping the bits from the pan. Over medium heat, add garlic and sun dried tomatoes to the pan, heat for several minutes.
PRO TIP: Skip the additional olive oil and use the oil from the sun dried tomatoes instead. Adds a rich flavor to the sauce!
Sprinkle 1 Tbsp cornstarch over the tomatoes, and mix thoroughly.
Add chicken broth, whisk until combined. Cook for about 5 minutes.
In a small bowl, mix remaining cornstarch with milk and whisk. Add to the broth and continue whisking while adding in the cream, spinach, salt, and pepper.
Turn heat to low and simmer until sauce thickens and spinach wilts. Add in parmesan cheese.
Stir and heat on low until chicken and noodles are done.
Serve in a large bowl and enjoy.
Serving Suggestions
This Garlic Bread is always a great side dish to pasta. Who doesn’t love a fluffy, flavorful bread? Dinner rolls are great for sopping up that extra sauce.
This Italian Salad is loaded with fresh flavor and the homemade Italian Dressing is zesty and flavorful! The perfect pairing to your weeknight meal.
Looking for a fresh bowl of homemade applesauce for dinner tonight? This Instant Pot Applesauce recipe is super quick and easy!
Don’t forget to finish the evening with a fresh batch of Rice Krispie Treats!
More Pasta Recipes
Our favorite pasta recipe is Chicken Tetrazzini. It’s pure comfort food, and great for a crowd too!
You’ll love this tangy, Lemon Garlic Pasta as a side dish with your favorite chicken or fish! Or enjoy it as your main entree in under 30 minutes!
Cajun Sausage Pasta is a delicious 30 minute dinner recipe! Colorful, spicy, and easy to make, you’ll want to put this dish on your menu!
Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight meal or a dish to share at a potluck, this Chicken Pesto Pasta is your delicious answer! Packed with flavor from the homemade walnut pesto, you’ll love how tasty this easy dish is to eat!
Whip up this easy Instant Pot Spaghetti recipe packed with flavor and meatballs. Ready in minutes!
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More Chicken Recipes:
- Italian Chicken Casserole
- White Chicken Chili
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- Cilantro Lime Chicken
- Orange Chicken
- Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo
- Chicken and Dumplings
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Italian Chicken
Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta recipe, packed with flavor from spinach, garlic, and sun dried tomatoes, your family will gobble this easy dinner right up!
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 1 cup flour
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 Tbsp powdered sugar
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
For the sauce:
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes in oil, drained and finely diced
- 3 Tbsp cornstarch, divided
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper (don’t skimp on this)
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 box (16oz) linguine noodles
Instructions
- Place raw chicken breast into a bowl and pour milk and lemon juice over the top. Cover and refrigerate for 2-4 hours. You can also do this in the morning, so that it's ready at dinner time!
- PRO TIP: Did you know that soaking the chicken in milk and lemon helps it become more tender for cooking?
- When ready to cook, create your chicken crust. In a pie plate, or shallow dish, combine flour, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and powdered sugar.
- Drain chicken from milk marinade and dip into the flour, coating evenly.
- Heat a large skillet with olive oil over medium high heat. Place chicken strips in hot skillet for about 3 minutes on each side. Remove and place onto a foil lined baking sheet.
- Bake chicken in 350 degree oven for about 18-20 minutes.
- PRO TIP: If you smash your chicken with a meat tenderizer before dipping in coating, this helps it become the same thickness throughout, resulting in more even cooking.
- While the chicken bakes, cook your linguine (or favorite pasta) according to package.
- To make the sauce, using the same skillet as the chicken, add additional olive oil, scraping the bits from the pan. Over medium heat, add garlic and sun dried tomatoes to the pan, heat for several minutes.
- Sprinkle 1 Tbsp cornstarch over the tomatoes, and mix thoroughly.
- Add chicken broth, whisk until combined. Cook for about 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix remaining cornstarch with milk and whisk. Add to the broth and continue whisking while adding in the cream, spinach, salt, and pepper.
- Turn heat to low and simmer until sauce thickens and spinach wilts. Add in parmesan cheese.
- Stir and heat on low until chicken and noodles are done.
- Serve in a large bowl and enjoy.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 695Total Fat: 37gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 169mgSodium: 1785mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 50g
*Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.
Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta recipe, packed with flavor from spinach, garlic, and sun dried tomatoes, your family will gobble this easy dinner right up!
Can this be made ahead by cooking the chicken, making the sauce and leaving it for a couple of hours? Then cook the pasta at the last minute and toss everything together at that point and serve.
Ummmm, okay. This was SO good. Well… actually it was so much better than good. It was delicious. Seriously, this was one of the BEST meals I’ve ever eaten. My whole family thought so too, and I’m making this again. Like tonight. So good.
Would this freeze and reheat ok? I’m wanting to make this frozen for a friend who just had a baby, so she can reheat it whenever she doesn’t want to make a big meal herself.
What would you suggest for the reheating instructions?
Thanks!!
I’m going to make it tomorrow for my husband and kids (daughter, boyfriend and granddaughter-Miss Special-3) who live around the corner. Cooking for me is a challenge and adventure! If you say 30 min, they say 2 hours, it will take me an unknown amount of time, but it will be “exact” and, hopefully, perfectly delicious! Without going into the “whys” about me and my reasons I am slow at cooking, etc..blah blah …
I did read all the reviews and I’m very excited to make, and share this fabulous dish! Maybe even make it for other folks on Father’s Day!! Scary…I just thought of fresh tomatoes cuz of the sodium in sundried? But, after reading, who cares?! Wish me luck!