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, Roasted Red Pepper Chicken, Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken, Lemon Chicken Orzo or One Pot Tex-Mex Chicken Chili Recipe.

Why This Recipe Works

• All cooked in one pot – Less cleanup and fewer dishes.
• Budget-friendly ingredients – Chicken breast, pasta, and pantry staples.
• Ready in about 30 minutes – Perfect for busy weeknights.
• Family-tested and approved – Creamy, cheesy, and kid-friendly.
• Easy to customize – Use what you have in the fridge.

Ingredients

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – We use chicken breast because it’s lean, cooks quickly, and is usually budget-friendly, especially when bought in bulk and frozen. You can easily substitute boneless chicken thighs if that’s what you have on hand. Just cut into evenly sized pieces so it cooks evenly.
• Olive oil – Used to sauté the chicken and build flavor. Any neutral cooking oil like avocado oil or vegetable oil will also work
• Salt & Black Pepper – Simple seasoning goes a long way in this dish. Adjust to taste depending on your parmesan and broth since both add saltiness.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes – Use the jarred sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for the best flavor. Be sure to drain them well before chopping. These add a slightly sweet, tangy flavor that balances the creamy sauce.
• Minced Garlic Cloves – Fresh minced garlic adds the most flavor, but jarred minced garlic works perfectly for busy nights.
• Linguine – We love linguine because it holds onto the creamy sauce well. Spaghetti, fettuccine, penne, or rigatoni also work. Use what you already have to keep it affordable.
• Italian Seasoning – This blend adds classic Italian flavor without needing multiple spices. If you don’t have it, you can mix dried basil, oregano, and parsley.
• Red Pepper Flakes – Adds a mild kick of heat. Leave it out if serving picky eaters or little ones.
• Low Sodium Chicken Broth – Using low sodium broth helps control the salt level in the finished dish. If using regular broth, you may want to reduce the added salt slightly.
• Baby Spinach Leaves – Spinach wilts down quickly and blends right into the pasta. You can substitute kale, but chop it finely and allow a little extra cook time.
• Heavy Whipping Cream – Creates the rich, creamy sauce. For a lighter option, substitute half-and-half or whole milk. The sauce will be thinner, but you can stir in a little cream cheese to thicken if needed.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated parmesan melts best and creates a smooth sauce. Pre-shredded works too — use what fits your budget. Add extra on top before serving for even more flavor.

How to Make Italian Chicken Pasta

Step 1 – Cook the chicken – Heat the olive oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium high heat on the stovetop.  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 for an easy side dish. 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! Add chicken, broth, sun-dried tomatoes, and seasonings.
• Cook on Low for 4–5 hours or High for 2–3 hours.
• Cook pasta separately and stir it in at the end with cream, spinach, and parmesan.