Back to list

Post Workout High Calorie Dinner: Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Pasta Recipe

Name: Post Workout High Calorie Dinner: Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Pasta Recipe
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 380 g
Ingredients: boneless skinless chicken breasts 24 oz; penne pasta 3 cups; heavy cream 1.25 cups; sundried tomatoes (packed in oil) 0.75 cup; baby spinach 2 cups; parmesan cheese (shredded) 0.75 cup; olive oil 2 tbsp; garlic cloves (minced) 4 pieces; salt 1 tsp; black pepper 0.5 tsp; dried Italian herbs 1 tsp

Sundried tomatoes, cream sauce, chicken, pasta. This Tuscan dinner is the kind of high calorie post workout meal that makes recovery feel luxurious.

Cook 45 min Difficulty NORMAL 890 kcal

#high protein

Image coming soon

Ingredients

Main ingredients

boneless skinless chicken breasts 24 oz
penne pasta 3 cups
heavy cream 1.25 cups
sundried tomatoes (packed in oil) 0.75 cup
baby spinach 2 cups
parmesan cheese (shredded) 0.75 cup

Seasonings/Sauce

olive oil 2 tbsp
garlic cloves (minced) 4 pieces
salt 1 tsp
black pepper 0.5 tsp
dried Italian herbs 1 tsp

Nutrition summary

Carbohydrates 65 g 29%

Protein 42 g 19%

Fat 41 g 42%

Serving size 380g

Cooking steps

1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until just al dente, about 9-10 minutes; drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
2

Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Sear chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Set aside and slice.
3

Reduce skillet to medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant. Add sundried tomatoes and cook 1 minute, stirring frequently.
4

Pour in heavy cream, stirring to combine. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, then melt in parmesan cheese and reserved pasta water; stir until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
5

Add cooked pasta and spinach to the skillet. Toss well to coat; spinach should just wilt from residual heat. Top with sliced chicken, let rest 2 minutes, then serve immediately.

Personalized Q&A

Q. What's the key ingredient in this Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Pasta recipe?

The core ingredient is the boneless skinless chicken breast, which provides both hearty texture and high protein content. Combined with sundried tomatoes and parmesan cheese, these elements define the dish’s rich flavor and luxurious creaminess.

Q. How do you ensure the chicken stays juicy while cooking?

To keep the chicken moist, sear it quickly over medium-high heat (5-6 minutes per side), then let it rest after slicing. This prevents moisture loss and ensures tender meat once mixed with the creamy sauce.

Q. What’s the most important timing step for the pasta?

Cooking the penne pasta just until al dente and adding it to the sauce at the end ensures it absorbs flavor without becoming mushy. Reserving pasta water also helps perfect the sauce consistency.

Q. How many calories and what is the protein-to-carb ratio per serving?

Each serving contains 890 kcal, with 42g protein (19%) and 65g carbohydrate (29%) by caloric percentage. This makes it a high-protein, high-calorie option ideal for post-workout dinners.

Q. What prevents the sauce from separating or becoming too thick?

Stirring in reserved pasta water and melting parmesan gradually ensures a stable, creamy sauce. Simmering gently over medium heat avoids curdling or over-thickening the cream.

Post Workout High Calorie Dinner: Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Pasta Recipe

AI 영양사 앤디