Creamy tuscan chicken pasta

Ingredients

• For the chicken — 1 lb boneless chicken breast fillets.
• For the chicken — Salt to taste
• For the chicken — 1 tsp smoked paprika powder
• For the chicken — 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning — 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning — 2 tbsp oil ( for marinating) + more for cooking
• For the sauce — 2 cup unsweetened heavy whipping cream
• For the sauce — 1 tbsp butter
• For the sauce — 2 tbsp oil
• For the sauce — 1 shallot or small onion, thinly diced
• For the sauce — 8 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• For the sauce — 1/2 red bell peppers, diced
• For the sauce — Salt to taste
• For the sauce — 1 tsp smoked paprika powder
• For the sauce — 1 tsp garlic powder
• For the sauce — 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning — 1 tsp red chili flakes
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning — 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning — 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning — 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning — 1 cup pasta water, reserved
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning — 1 cup spinach
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning — 12 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning — 2 tbsp sun dried tomatoes
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning — To assemble
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning — 8 oz rigatoni pasta

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to the package instructions, reserve 1 cup pasta water for later use.
2. In a bowl season the chicken fillets with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika powder, Italian seasoning and oil. Mix until well combined.
3. In a pan heat some oil on medium heat. Once the oil is hot. Add chicken and cook on both sides for 12-15 minutes flipping side in between or until the chicken is fully cooked.
4. In another pan add butter and oil on medium heat.
5. Once the butter is melted add shallots and garlic.
6. Sauté for 1 min or until fragrant.
7. Add cherry tomatoes and cook for 1-2 min until soft.
8. Add tomato paste along with seasonings , salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, red chili flakes.
9. Mix and add red bell pepper and sun-dried tomatoes.
10. Turn the heat to medium low and add cream.
11. Mix until everything is well combined.
12. Add Parmesan cheese. Mix until the sauce reaches the desired consistency . You can add pasta water at this point if you prefer thinner sauce.
13. Once the sauce is ready add spinach. Cook for 1 minute. Add boiled pasta. Cut the chicken and add it into the pasta. Mix well
14. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve warm.