One Pot Creamy Sun Dried Tomato and Spinach Pasta with Chicken

🍝 One Pot Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta with Chicken (Mediterranean Style)

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

🧄 Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (or use oil from sun-dried tomato jar)

• 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• ½ teaspoon paprika

• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the Pasta

• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed preferred)

• 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)

• 1 ½ cups milk (whole milk or half-and-half for creamier sauce)

• 8 oz (225 g) short pasta (penne, rigatoni, fusilli, or farfalle)

• 1 teaspoon dried basil (or 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped)

• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for mild heat)

• 2 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (or Pecorino Romano)

• Juice of ½ lemon (for brightness)

Optional Mediterranean Add-ins

• ¼ cup Kalamata olives, sliced

• ½ cup artichoke hearts, quartered

• Fresh parsley or basil leaves for garnish

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Sear the Chicken

   • Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat.

   • Season chicken with oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper.

   • Add chicken to the pan and cook for 5–6 minutes, until golden and cooked through.

   • Remove and set aside.

2. Sauté Aromatics

   • In the same pan, add a bit of the sun-dried tomato oil if available.

   • Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes.

   • Sauté for 1 minute, until fragrant.

3. Add Liquids & Pasta

   • Pour in the chicken broth and milk.

   • Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.

   • Add pasta, basil, and red pepper flakes.

   • Reduce heat to medium and cook uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.

4. Add Spinach & Chicken

   • Return the cooked chicken to the pan.

   • Add spinach and stir until wilted, about 2–3 minutes.

5. Make It Creamy

   • Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce becomes creamy.

   • If sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk or broth.

   • Add a squeeze of lemon juice for a fresh finish.

6. Finish & Serve

   • Taste and adjust seasoning (salt, pepper, chili flakes).

   • Garnish with fresh parsley, basil, or extra Parmesan.

   • Serve warm with a slice of crusty bread or a light Greek salad.

🫒 Mediterranean Tips

• For extra creaminess without heavy cream, use Greek yogurt stirred in at the end (off the heat).

• Add roasted red peppers or cherry tomatoes for more Mediterranean color and sweetness.

• Make it vegetarian: replace chicken with chickpeas or white beans for protein.

🍽️ Nutrition (Approx. per serving)

• Calories: 520

• Protein: 38 g

• Carbohydrates: 45 g

• Fat: 18 g

• Fiber: 4 g