One Pot Italian Chicken Pasta

This one pot dish is full of tender chicken, sundried tomatoes and spinach. All combined with a thick, creamy sauce that adds flavor and a crowd pleasing meal. There is something about the comforting dish that makes my family happy.

This is the best one pot recipe and it is so tasty and easy and just all around the best meal. One pot meals make the best weeknight meals, try these other family favorites – One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta Recipe or One Pot Tex-Mex Chicken Chili Recipe.

Why This Recipe Works

I love to keep it simple here with easy ingredients. If you have been following me for awhile, you know I like simple recipes. Plus in the kitchen, I prefer as little clean up as possible. This dinner cooks all in one pot for a quick and easy meal idea.

The sauce has just the perfect amount of seasoning and oh my that cheese. Add a salad and breadsticks for a complete meal idea in about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

• Vegetables – Another option, add in chopped zucchini to the pasta. We do this a lot to make it a complete meal. Other vegetables to add in bell peppers, onions and garlic, broccoli, or cauliflower. Feel free to use frozen vegetables instead of fresh.
• Chicken – Feel free to use chicken thighs or chicken tenders if you do not have chicken breast.
• Heavy Cream – If you prefer to make this dish a lighter you can substitute heavy cream with half and half or whole milk. This will make the sauce less creamy but you can mix in a few tablespoons of cream cheese. Keep adding cream cheese until it is the consistency you prefer.
• Cheese – We love to top the one pot dish with loads of parmesan cheese. But feel free to add in other types of cheeses. Mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, or fontina.
• Spinach – We love adding spinach to this recipe but you can substitute with kale if you prefer. Any green vegetables would work mixed into this recipe.
• No Chicken – If prefer to make this dish meatless, just omit the chicken. This recipe would still be delicious and flavorful.

How to Make Italian Chicken Pasta

Step 1 – Cook the chicken – Heat the olive oil in a large pot or dutch over medium high heat.  Add in the diced chicken.  Season it with salt and pepper. 

Step 2 – Add in garlic and sun dried tomatoes – Sauté the chicken for 3-4 minutes until the chicken is browned.  Add in the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute until aromatic. 

Step 3 – Add in the additional ingredients – Stir in the chicken broth, linguine, Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes.  Bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Turn the heat down to medium and cover the pot with a lid.  Cook pasta in the pot until al dente (7-9 minutes). 

Step 4 – Add in cream and parmesan cheese – Reduce the heat to a simmer and stir in the chopped spinach, heavy whipping cream and grated parmesan cheese.  Stir until well incorporated. Let the mixture simmer for 1 more minute and then remove from the stove. 

Expert Tips

• Chicken – Cut the chicken in bite size pieces. Make sure they are about the same size so they cook evenly.
• Simmer Ingredients – When adding in the noodles with the chicken broth, make sure the mixture comes to a boil so the noodles cook to al dente.
• Cover Pot – Cover the pot with the ingredients so that the ingredients cook but continue to toss so the noodles do not stick to the bottom.
• Heavy Cream and Spinach – Wait until the end of cooking time to add in the cream and spinach.

What to Serve with Italian Chicken Pasta

• Side Salad – We normally just toss together a simple and easy side salad with Italian dressing. It is light and goes perfect with the pasta plus it is easy.
• Breadsticks – We love to serve this recipe with a side of breadsticks. It pairs well with this Italian dish and we like to make sure we get every last drop of the sauce.
• Roasted Vegetables – We always serve with a side of roasted broccoli and asparagus for an easy side.

Can I Make in the Slow Cooker?

Yes, you can make this dish in the slow cooker. Add in the ingredients as indicated. You can cook the noodles in the slow cooker since this is a broth based dish or you can cook the noodles separately and toss with the other ingredients.