Tuscan Chicken Mac and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy one pan meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes. This cheesy dish is filled with macaroni, chicken, and classic Italian flavors like garlic, parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Are you looking for a cheesy, flavorful comfort meal? Look no further.
You’ll love my recipe for Tuscan Chicken Mac and Cheese because it’s filled with Italian flavor, comes together in a single pan, and makes the perfect comfort food meal.
It’s no secret – macaroni and cheese has been a comfort food staple for years. Pasta coated in a cheesy, creamy sauce? Yes please!
I’ve paired this classic side dish with some of my favorite Italian flavors and come up with an amazingly easy to make and QUICK one pan meal.
Speaking of quick meals – I have a ton of 30 minute meals on my site. Here are just a few of my favorite chicken and pasta skillet meals: Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta, Cajun Chicken Alfredo, and Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Orzo Skillet Meal. This barely even cover my love for skillet meals!
How to Make Tuscan Chicken Mac and Cheese
While the ingredient list may be mildly intimidating, most of the length comes down to a variety of spices used. And I promise, it is worth it, because the flavor in this dish is amazing!
First, gather your ingredients. You’ll need parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh parsley (optional, as a garnish), onions, flour, macaroni, milk, italian seasoning, paprika, salt, pepper, chicken, garlic cloves, chicken broth, heavy cream, and olive oil.
Yes, it’s a bit lengthy, but it gets MUCH easier after this! Remember, your entire dish is cooked in a single pan.
First, season your cubed chicken with the salt, pepper, and paprika. Then, place a saute pan over medium heat with your olive oil. Cook your cubed chicken for 3-4 minutes, or until cooked through.
Remove the chicken from the pan, then add your diced onions and sun-dried tomatoes, cooking for 3 minutes.
Add minced garlic, cook for 30 seconds, then add flour, stir, and cook for another 30 seconds.
Next, add your chicken broth, milk, italian seasoning, and macaroni to the pan, stirring to incorporate. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to medium low. Cook according to macaroni’s package directions for al dente pasta.
Remove lid and add your cubed chicken back to the pan, as well as your cheeses and heavy cream. Stir until cheese is melted.
Last, add your spinach to the pan. It will look like a lot, but spinach cooks down quickly. Stir to incorporate into the dish, about 2 minutes.
Remove from heat and allow to set for 5 minutes before serving.
Pasta Skillet Meals
Pasta skillet meals are a favorite of mine. Because the pasta is cooked in the same pan as your sauce, the starch from the cooking pasta helps to naturally thicken your sauce.
The pasta also absorbs much of the liquid you’ve added to the pan, so there’s no need to drain your pasta.
Because this recipe includes the exact liquids needed to cook your pasta and create a sauce, I don’t suggest trying to substitute the pasta with something that’s not pasta.
Love pasta skillet meals as much as I do? They make the perfect comfort meal, and I inevitably end up making one a week because they’re so easy.
Chicken One Pan Meals
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Orzo Skillet Meal
Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Skillet Meal
Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup
More One Pan Meals
More One Pan MealsOne Pan Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo
Cheesesteak Pasta Skillet Meal
Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Skillet Meal
Andouille Sausage and Tortellini Skillet Meal
Cheeseburger Macaroni Skillet Meal
Tuscan Chicken Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 16 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts cubed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 4 ounces sun-dried tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 6 ounces elbow macaroni uncooked
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2/3 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped (optional, as a garnish)
Instructions
- Season cubed chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. In a saute pan over medium heat, add olive oil. Once hot, add cubed chicken and saute on all sides until cooked through, about 4 minutes. Remove from pan.
- Add diced onions and sun-dried tomatoes to pan. Cook for 3 minutes, then add garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds. Add flour, stirring to coat. Cook another 30 seconds.
- Add chicken broth, milk, macaroni, and Italian seasoning to pan, stirring to combine. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook according to macaroni package directions for al dente pasta (should be about 9 minutes).
- Remove lid and add parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, heavy cream, as well as the cooked chicken back to the pan. Stir until cheese is melted.
- Add spinach, stirring to incorporate, about one minute. Remove pan from heat and allow to set for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment Recommendations
Notes
- Italian seasoning can be found in the spice aisle of your local grocery store, or you can make your own with my recipe here: https://thetoastykitchen.com/italian-seasoning/
- Other pastas can be used instead of macaroni - try penne, bow tie, or cavatappi.
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