Name: Tuscan Chicken with Spaghetti Squash Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 medium spaghetti squash; 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken, cut into bite size pieces; Salt, to taste; Pepper, to taste; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 2 tablespoons butter, divided; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 shallot, minced; 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained and julienne cut; 1 cup heavy cream; 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated; 3 ounces baby spinach; Fresh parsley, optional for garnish

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 10 reviews

If you’re looking for a dish that feels like a warm hug from the Italian countryside but with a fresh, light twist, you’ve got to try this Tuscan Chicken with Spaghetti Squash Recipe. It’s super flavorful, surprisingly easy to make, and perfect when you want all the creamy goodness of a classic Tuscan chicken dish but with a healthy, low-carb spin thanks to the spaghetti squash. Seriously, once I made this, it became a favorite quick dinner for busy weeknights!

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Why This Recipe Works

Flavor-packed without complexity: Simple ingredients deliver rich, creamy, and tangy flavors that feel fancy but are easy to whip up.
Low-carb and nutritious: Using spaghetti squash instead of pasta gives you that satisfying noodle feel with way fewer carbs.
Quick cooking method: Microwaving the squash saves time and keeps things hassle-free, perfect when you’re hungry and in a rush.
Customizable for every kitchen: Easy to tweak with what’s in your pantry or to suit your dietary needs like dairy-free or adding more veggies.

Tuscan Chicken with Spaghetti Squash, healthy Tuscan chicken recipes, low-carb chicken dinner, Italian chicken with spaghetti squash, easy Tuscan chicken meal - A round black pan with silver handles sits on a white marbled surface, filled with a creamy spinach dish. The bottom layer is fresh green spinach leaves, some whole and some slightly folded. Mixed and spread evenly is a thick, pale cream sauce with small chunks of soft red sun-dried tomatoes, adding spots of color throughout. The sauce coats every leaf, giving a smooth, rich texture with some fresh spinach veins visible under the cream. The pan handles are shiny, reflecting a bit of light. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Tuscan Chicken with Spaghetti Squash Recipe plays its own role in creating that beautiful harmony of textures and flavors. Plus, I’ll share some tips on picking the best ingredients so your dish shines every time you make it.

Spaghetti squash: This squash is the star low-carb substitute for pasta, offering spaghetti-like strands with a mild flavor that soaks up sauce beautifully.
Boneless, skinless chicken: Easy to cook quickly and soak in the seasoning, chicken gives that hearty protein punch.
Italian seasoning: A simple blend that adds warmth and herbs reminiscent of Tuscany without any fuss.
Butter: Adds richness and helps sauté the chicken and aromatics for deep flavor.
Garlic and shallots: These aromatics give you that fragrant base that makes Tuscan dishes unforgettable.
Sun-dried tomatoes: These splash the sauce with a tangy sweetness and umami bite that lifts the entire dish.
Heavy cream: This makes the sauce luxuriously creamy, binding everything together.
Parmesan cheese: For that salty, nutty finish that elevates the cream sauce perfectly.
Baby spinach: Adds freshness and a pop of color, plus it wilts down right in the sauce.
Fresh parsley (optional): A pretty, herbal garnish that brightens each bite.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Tuscan Chicken with Spaghetti Squash Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I like adding a little heat sometimes with crushed red pepper flakes, but you can keep it mild or swap in mushrooms if you want more veggies.

Variation: For a dairy-free version, I’ve swapped the butter for olive oil and used coconut cream in place of heavy cream, and it still tastes amazing!
Add-ins: Feel free to add mushrooms or artichoke hearts for more texture and color — I do this when I want to stretch the dish and add more veggies.
Protein swaps: I’ve tried turkey or even shrimp instead of chicken and it worked really well, just adjust cooking time accordingly.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Tuscan Chicken with Spaghetti Squash Recipe

Step 1: Microwave Your Spaghetti Squash to Save Time

First things first: you want that spaghetti squash cooked tender but still holding its shape. Instead of roasting, I carefully pierce the squash several times with a knife, place it on a microwave-safe plate, and zap it for 8-12 minutes. It’s super fast and keeps your kitchen cooler. Once it’s tender, let it cool while you get the chicken going — multitasking heaven.

Step 2: Season and Sear the Chicken

While the squash is cooling, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken. Cook until it’s fully done and no longer pink inside — about 7 minutes works perfectly for me. Don’t overcrowd the pan, so the chicken browns nicely instead of steaming.

Step 3: Build That Creamy Tuscan Sauce

Take the chicken out and tent it with foil to keep warm. Add the remaining butter to the pan, then toss in the minced garlic and shallot. Cook just until they soften and get fragrant — about 1-2 minutes. Next, stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and let them cook for another minute to release their flavor. Pour in the heavy cream and let the sauce come to a gentle bubble. This part is where the magic starts!

Step 4: Stir in Cheese, Spinach, Chicken, and Squash

Turn off the heat and then add your Parmesan cheese and baby spinach, stirring until the spinach wilts beautifully. Put the cooked chicken back into the pan, along with any juices it released. Now grab that cooled spaghetti squash, cut it in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, and pull the strands out with a fork. Stir those strands into the creamy sauce until everything is evenly coated in cheesy goodness.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley if you have it on hand — it adds a nice pop of color and a bright, fresh flavor on top of that creamy sauce. Then dig in and enjoy the cozy, comforting taste of Tuscany right in your own kitchen!

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Tips from My Kitchen

Don’t Skip Microwaving: Microwaving the spaghetti squash not only cuts cooking time, but keeps the strands tender and easy to shred.
Let Chicken Rest: Tenting the cooked chicken with foil helps keep it juicy and warm while you make the sauce.
Use Quality Sun-Dried Tomatoes: I always go for the ones packed in oil and julienne cut—they blend in so well and brighten the sauce.
Avoid Overcooking Cream: Once it bubbles, turn off the heat quickly to keep the sauce silky and not broken.

How to Serve Tuscan Chicken with Spaghetti Squash Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping this dish with a handful of fresh parsley because it adds a fresh, herbal brightness that cuts through the richness. Sometimes, I’ll shave a little extra Parmesan right on top for a salty finish. If you have chili flakes on hand, a little sprinkle adds a nice kick without overpowering the dish.

Side Dishes

This Tuscan Chicken with Spaghetti Squash Recipe is typically a full plate by itself, but I sometimes like to serve it alongside a crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette or some roasted asparagus for a fresh contrast. Garlic bread is a delicious treat too if you’re not sticking to low-carb.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I’ve served this dish plated with the chicken pieces arranged neatly on top of a nest of spaghetti squash strands. Garnish each plate with a sprig of parsley and a small drizzle of good olive oil to add a glossy finish. It makes a simple dish feel restaurant-worthy and impresses guests every time.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep really well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. I store the chicken and sauce together with the spaghetti squash strands mixed in, which helps the squash soak up the flavors overnight — making the next-day meal even better.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this Tuscan Chicken with Spaghetti Squash Recipe a couple of times, but I recommend freezing the chicken and sauce separately from the squash if you can. The squash can get a bit mushy once thawed, but the sauce keeps beautifully and tastes so good when reheated.

Reheating

When reheating leftovers, I warm the chicken and sauce gently on the stove over low heat to avoid breaking the cream sauce. Adding a splash of cream or broth helps loosen the sauce if it thickened too much overnight. I add the spaghetti squash last so it warms through without turning mushy.

FAQs

Can I roast the spaghetti squash instead of microwaving it?

Absolutely! Roasting the spaghetti squash is a great option if you prefer a deeper roasted flavor or want to prepare it ahead. Simply cut it in half lengthwise, remove seeds, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast at 350°F for 45-60 minutes until tender.
Is this Tuscan Chicken with Spaghetti Squash Recipe low-carb?

Yes! The spaghetti squash is a fantastic low-carb alternative to traditional pasta, making this dish a creamy, comforting, and low-carb meal that fits well with keto or other low-carb plans.
Can I substitute chicken with another protein?

Definitely! Turkey, shrimp, or even firm tofu can work well here. Just adjust cooking times so your chosen protein cooks through without overcooking.
How do I make this recipe dairy-free?

You can swap the butter with olive oil or dairy-free margarine and replace heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream. Nutritional yeast can stand in place of Parmesan for a cheesy flavor.
What if I don’t have sun-dried tomatoes?

If you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes, diced roasted red peppers or even a handful of cherry tomatoes quickly sautéed can add a similar sweet tang, though the flavor varies slightly.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Tuscan Chicken with Spaghetti Squash Recipe enough — it’s so comforting without being heavy, and it fits nicely into a busy lifestyle without sacrificing flavor. Whenever I make it, I feel like I’m treating myself to something special, even on a hectic weeknight. Trust me, you’ll want to keep this recipe in your regular rotation. Give it a try, and let me know how you make it your own!