Servings 6 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz. uncooked short pasta, such as bowtie, penne or rotini
- 6 slices uncooked bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 medium chicken breasts
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and thinly sliced
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it until it is al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain and set it aside.
- Add the bacon to a heavy-bottomed stock pot set over medium-low heat. Cook the bacon, stirring, until all the fat has rendered. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon pieces to a bowl and set them aside. Leave all drippings in the pot. (If less than 2 tablespoons are in the pot, supplement with butter or olive oil.)
- Add the chicken breasts and cook on one side for 4 minutes then flip once and cook until cooked through, about 4 more minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate and leave 2 tablespoons drippings in the pot. (If needed, supplement with butter, oil or bacon fat.)
- Increase the heat to medium. Add the spinach. Cook, stirring, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
- Add the heavy cream and sour cream and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese, then stir in the pasta.
- Dice the chicken then add it to the pot, along with the sun-dried tomatoes and reserved bacon. Stir to combine then serve.
Notes
- Don't be shy with the salt when boiling pasta water! It should taste like the sea to properly season the pasta as it cooks. This step is crucial for flavorful pasta.
- Before I add the Parmesan cheese, I always take a quick taste of the sauce. Sometimes, a pinch of salt or a dash of pepper can really bring out those flavors and take the dish to the next level.
- Pair your Tuscan chicken pasta with a crisp wedge salad and a crusty loaf of cheesy garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Got leftovers? No problem! Store any extra pasta in the fridge for up to three days. When it's time to reheat, add a splash of heavy cream to prevent it from drying out, and heat it gently over low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
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