One Skillet Creamy Tomato Basil Spinach Pasta & Chicken

1 – 1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs rinsed and pat dry
1 tsp sea salt
¼ - ½ tsp pepper
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
1 tbsp coconut oil to cook in butter, olive oil, or avocado oil will work too
½ cup red wine
4 cloves of garlic minced
1/3 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp dried basil or 1-2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil
1 – 15 ounce can tomato sauce
1 cup full fat coconut milk
½ - 1 cup water or bone broth depending on how saucy you want the skillet – start with ½ cup, and after the pasta cooks you can add more if you want!
3 cups dry pasta of choice I used the Jovial GF spirals
1 – 5-ounce box of baby spinach chopped and divided

Whisk the sea salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl and sprinkle over the chicken thighs, seasoning each side. I use my hands to get the rub onto both sides of the chicken.
Heat a large skillet over high heat, and melt the coconut oil. You will want the pan screaming hot so that it gives the chicken a good sear. Place the chicken into the oiled pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side. You want a golden sear on both sides. Set the chicken aside to rest.
Turn the skillet temperature down to medium heat and add the red wine to deglaze the pan. Stir the wine around, and then add the garlic, sun dried tomatoes, and tomato paste. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until everything is fragrant.
Add the basil, tomato sauce, coconut milk, water, and dried pasta and stir to combine. Stir in half of the chopped baby spinach and cover the skillet with a lid.
Let the pasta simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes before stirring. Once you stir the pasta, add the chicken back into the skillet, along with the rest of the spinach, and put the lid back on. Cook on medium heat until the pasta is al dente – check your box of pasta to see how long it takes to cook and follow that.
Once the pasta is cooked, you can serve with grated cheese, fresh basil, or a dollop of coconut cream!

You can swap the wine for broth or water if you can’t have the wine – the flavor depth it brings is fantastic though so if you have it, use it! The alcohol cooks off so it is safe for children.
I get my sun dried tomatoes packed in olive oil at Costco. If you don't have access to a good sun dried tomato in safe packaging or oil, you can cook down some halved cherry tomatoes with the red wine and garlic at the beginning of the recipe, or leave them out completely.
If you can't have the pasta, you can leave out the extra water and serve your creamy tomato basil and spinach sauce and chicken over spaghetti squash, or a baked potato or sweet potato.