This Cottage Cheese Tuscan Chicken Pasta is a creamy and flavorful dish that brings together juicy chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach with a unique twist: a luscious sauce made with cottage cheese. By using cottage cheese, you get all the creaminess without the heaviness of traditional cream-based sauces.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cubed)
- 8 oz (225g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your choice)
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped)
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions:
- Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Prepare the Chicken:
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season the cubed chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce:
- In a blender or food processor, blend the cottage cheese until smooth. Add a little reserved pasta water if needed to reach a creamy consistency.
- In the same skillet used for the chicken, add a little more olive oil if necessary and sauté the minced garlic for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Combine Everything:
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes and spinach to the skillet, cooking until the spinach wilts, about 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the blended cottage cheese and Parmesan cheese, mixing well to create a creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss everything together.
- Serve:
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Season with additional salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, if desired.
- Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese before serving.
Enjoy this healthier take on Tuscan Chicken Pasta, where creamy cottage cheese provides a light yet rich texture that pairs beautifully with the savory chicken and vegetables!
