Tuscan Chicken Pasta with Cottage Cheese (Print-Friendly Version)

Cottage cheese, cream and Parmesan coat this chicken pasta with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. Keep the dairy over gentle heat and reserve pasta water for adjusting the sauce. Cottage cheese can retain curds; it does not melt into a smooth sauce on its own.

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# Ingredients You’ll Need:

→ For the Chicken

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
04 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
05 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ For the Pasta

06 - 8 ounces penne or any pasta of your choice
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
08 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
10 - 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
11 - 1 cup cottage cheese
12 - ½ cup heavy cream
13 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
15 - ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
16 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Season the chicken with its Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
02 - Heat the first tablespoon of oil and cook the chicken, turning as needed, until thick centers reach 165°F. Transfer to a clean board and slice after a short rest.
03 - Cook pasta according to its package and reserve some cooking water before draining. Heat the second tablespoon of oil in the skillet.
04 - Briefly cook garlic, then add chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Reduce heat and stir in cottage cheese, cream, Parmesan, the remaining Italian seasoning and optional pepper flakes.
05 - Warm gently without boiling. Add spinach and stir until wilted.
06 - Toss in pasta and cooked chicken, loosening with a little reserved water if necessary. Taste the finished sauce before adding more salt and serve promptly.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - For a smoother sauce, blend the cottage cheese and cream while cold before adding them to the skillet.
02 - Drain oil-packed tomatoes before measuring and chopping.
03 - The first tablespoon of oil and teaspoon of Italian seasoning belong to the chicken.

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