Description
Creamy Tuscan chicken pasta blends Italian comfort with protein-packed cottage cheese for a luxurious dinner. Rich herbs, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes create a Mediterranean-inspired meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Produce and Seasonings:
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
- 2 cups fresh spinach (roughly chopped)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Cooking Liquids and Pasta:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) penne or any pasta of your choice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Sear chicken breasts seasoned with Italian herbs and garlic powder in a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes per side until thoroughly cooked and golden brown. Remove from pan and slice into thin strips.
- Simultaneously, boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Drain and reserve.
- Using the same skillet, sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until aromatic. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook for additional 2-3 minutes.
- Lower heat and incorporate cottage cheese, heavy cream, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir continuously until sauce thickens slightly, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Fold in fresh spinach and cook until wilted. Season sauce with salt and pepper to enhance flavors.
- Introduce sliced chicken and cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, gently tossing to ensure complete coating. Warm through for 2-3 minutes.
- Plate the pasta, garnishing with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs like basil or parsley. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the rich, creamy Tuscan-inspired dish.
Notes
- Switch cottage cheese for a silky, creamy sauce by blending it until completely smooth before adding to the skillet for a more uniform texture.
- Reduce carbohydrate intake by substituting regular pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a low-carb version of this dish.
- Create a dairy-free alternative by using cashew cream or coconut milk instead of heavy cream and cottage cheese, maintaining the rich, luxurious sauce profile.
- Elevate protein content by incorporating additional lean protein sources like white beans or grilled shrimp alongside the chicken for a more nutritionally balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 575
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg