Irresistible Tuscan Grilled Chicken Pasta

Category: Sophisticated Dinners Ready in 45 Minutes or Less

This pasta dish is all about juicy, freshly grilled chicken paired with a cheesy, creamy Parmesan sauce, crisp spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. It comes together fast—you’ll season and grill the chicken while you make the pasta and veggies. Sauté onions, garlic, and butter for major flavor, then toss in Italian spices and loads of Parmesan for that signature creamy feel. Finally, everything gets mixed up with fresh herbs so you’ve got a colorful, flavor-packed meal with a Mediterranean vibe.

A woman in a white chef's coat smiles for the camera.
Created By Mia Laurent
Updated on Sat, 21 Jun 2025 00:51:04 GMT
A bean stew with noodles and onion. Pin
A bean stew with noodles and onion. | chefmiarecipes.com

On days when chaos hits, this creamy Tuscan chicken and pasta is my go-to comfort meal. Juicy grilled chicken, bright spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes swirl together in a silken sauce. You get a taste of Italy—and it only takes 30 minutes.

I made this one night after a long workday and couldn't believe how simple it was. It's been a crowd-pleaser every time I've made it for my friends since.

Amazing Ingredients

  • Italian parsley or basil for sprinkling at the end: Makes everything look and taste bright
  • Sun-dried tomatoes: Adds sweet, tangy punch—pick the jarred-in-oil kind for the most flavor
  • Parmesan: Delivers deep cheesy flavor—freshly grated is unbeatable
  • Italian seasoning: Brings an authentic kick—fresh herbs work best
  • Milk or cream: The base that makes your sauce all velvety
  • Fresh garlic: Cranks up the flavor—the fresher, the better
  • Onion: Chopped small for a touch of sweetness
  • Butter: Makes the sauce super creamy
  • Fresh spinach: Gives color and nutrients—grab young leaves if you can
  • Salt and pepper: You need these for balance
  • Garlic powder: Adds a mellow bite without being too bold
  • Olive oil: Helps with browning—spring for a nice bottle
  • Chicken breast: Stay tender—go for organic if possible
  • Penne pasta: Holds sauce just right and has a great bite

How To Make It

Finish and serve:
Taste, add salt and pepper if you want, and top it off with fresh basil or parsley before you dig in
Combine everything:
Toss chicken, pasta, cooked spinach, and those chopped sun-dried tomatoes into your sauce. Stir it up so everything's coated evenly
Cheese and spice it:
Turn the heat down. Stir in Italian seasoning and parmesan until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens up nicely
Make it rich:
Now pour in your milk or cream, warming gently until it’s just about to bubble, not boil
Add garlic:
Throw in chopped fresh garlic and give it a quick minute in the pan to release all that aroma
Sauté onion:
Melt butter in the same skillet and cook your diced onion until it's see-through—only takes a couple minutes
Prep the greens:
Heat up olive oil, then let the spinach wilt for a few minutes before you take it out and set aside
Grill chicken:
Rub chicken all over with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Grill on medium-high for 5–6 minutes a side (chicken breasts) or a bit less for tenders. Let rest for 10 minutes, then slice it up
Pasta time:
Cook penne in a big pot of salty boiling water till it's still a bit firm, then drain and put aside
A hearty stew with pasta, chicken, spinach, and tomatoes. Pin
A hearty stew with pasta, chicken, spinach, and tomatoes. | chefmiarecipes.com

Good Stuff To Know

Chicken and parmesan give you loads of protein
Get plenty of nutrients from that fresh spinach and the tomatoes
Great for meal prep. Still good cold the next day

Those tangy sun-dried tomatoes remind me of a trip to Tuscany with my sister. We found a tiny family spot there and had pasta just like this. Fresh spinach keeps everything mild and green and just brings it all together.

Storing Leftovers

This holds up in the fridge a couple days if you cover it well. When you reheat, splash in a little milk to get that creamy texture back. If you want to freeze, do it without the pasta—add that fresh when you thaw so it doesn’t get mushy.

Easy Ingredient Swaps

Try tagliatelle or fusilli instead of penne
Not a spinach fan? Use swiss chard or arugula
Turkey breast works great and cooks just as quick
Want it vegetarian? Skip the chicken, double the spinach, and throw in extra parmesan

Serving Ideas

A melty bowl full of pasta, tomatoes, onion, and cheese. Pin
A melty bowl full of pasta, tomatoes, onion, and cheese. | chefmiarecipes.com

This is a meal on its own
You can add warm bread or a crunchy arugula salad
Or toss toasted pine nuts on top to really wow folks at dinner

Backstory

This dish takes its cue from Tuscan cooking, where creamy sauces, fresh herbs, and juicy chicken are always the stars. That mix of sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan is classic for central Italy and always makes dinner feel like vacation.

Common Recipe Questions

→ Which pasta shape works great here?

Penne is a hit since its tubes grab that rich sauce. Fusilli or rigatoni do the job too.

→ How do I keep the chicken juicy?

Grill quickly on both sides with high heat, then let it rest so the inside stays tender.

→ Can I swap sun-dried for fresh tomatoes?

Yep, fresh ones add brightness, but sun-dried tomatoes pack a deeper flavor.

→ How do you make the sauce stay creamy?

Don’t let it boil; just warm things up gently with the half-and-half and Parmesan to keep it smooth.

→ What herbs are best for finishing?

Chopped up basil or Italian parsley gives a fresh lift at the end.

Tuscan Grilled Chicken Pasta

Tender noodles get tossed with grilled chicken, a silky sauce, spinach, and sunny tomatoes with a Tuscan twist.

Prep Time
10 minutes
Cooking Time
20 minutes
Total Duration
30 minutes
Created By: Mia Laurent

Recipe Category: Weeknight Elegance

Skill Level: Moderately Challenging

Recipe Cuisine: Italian

Recipe Yield: 6 Number of Servings

Dietary Categories: ~

Ingredients You’ll Need

→ Dairy

01 120 g freshly grated parmesan
02 500 ml half and half milk

→ Pasta

03 225 g dried penne

→ Vegetables & Herbs

04 Italian parsley or basil for topping
05 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, cut into strips
06 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
07 1/2 cup chopped onion
08 3 handfuls fresh spinach

→ Fats & Oils

09 2 tbsp butter
10 4 tbsp olive oil, split up

→ Poultry

11 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts or 6 chicken tenderloins

→ Seasonings

12 2 tsp Italian herb blend
13 1/2 tsp black pepper
14 1 tsp salt
15 1 tsp garlic powder

Steps to Make It

Step 01

Toss the cooked penne, grilled chicken, spinach, and those sun-dried tomatoes into the creamy sauce. Gently stir. Taste and add more salt and pepper if it needs it. Top with either basil or parsley. Serve while it's still nice and warm.

Step 02

Pour in the half and half. Heat it until it's just below boiling but don't let it bubble up. Drop the temp way down. Add in parmesan and herbs, stirring till the cheese is all melted and mixed through.

Step 03

Melt your butter in the pan you just used. Throw in the onions, cook for two or three minutes until they look glassy. Add your chopped garlic and let it cook for another minute or so.


A melty pot with pasta, tomatoes, onions, and cheese.
Step 04

Get 2 tbsp olive oil hot in a big skillet over medium heat. Toss in the fresh spinach. Sauté for three or four minutes until it shrinks. Take it out and leave it aside for a bit.

Step 05

Fire up your grill to medium-high. Rub the chicken with 2 tbsp oil, then sprinkle the garlic powder, salt, and pepper on it. Grill breast pieces for about 5 to 6 minutes each side, tenders need around 3 to 5 minutes. Rest the chicken 10 minutes, then slice it up.


A stew with penne, chicken, spinach, and tomatoes.
Step 06

Boil the penne in plenty of salty water following the instructions on your box. Drain when done and set aside.

Extra Information

  1. Want even more flavor? Let your sun-dried tomatoes soak in warm water before using.

Essential Tools

  • Cutting board and knife
  • Big skillet
  • Cookpot
  • Grill or grill pan
  • Wooden spoon

Allergen Details

Review every item for allergen risks. Reach out to a healthcare expert for any concerns.
  • Has dairy and gluten

Nutritional Details (Per Serving)

These figures are for general reference and shouldn’t replace expert medical guidance.
  • Caloric Content: 708
  • Fat Content: ~
  • Carbohydrate Content: ~
  • Protein Content: ~