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Chicken and Spinach Pasta

Chicken and Spinach Pasta

Chicken and Spinach Pasta is a quick, healthy, and delicious meal that combines tender chicken breasts, fresh vibrant spinach, and your choice of pasta in a creamy sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this family-friendly dish is perfect for busy weeknights offering nourishing ingredients and versatile flavors with minimal cleanup.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Vegetables

  • 4 cups fresh baby spinach, rinsed
  • 2–3 garlic cloves, minced

Pasta

  • 8 ounces pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)

Liquids & Oils

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup heavy cream or milk

Dairy

  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Seasonings

  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional, for mild heat)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Rinse the fresh spinach thoroughly. Mince the garlic cloves and measure out all other ingredients to have everything ready before cooking.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
  3. Sauté the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  4. Cook Garlic and Spinach: In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
  5. Make the Sauce: Pour heavy cream or milk into the skillet, stirring to combine with garlic and spinach. Let it simmer gently. Return cooked chicken to the skillet. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually to adjust consistency.
  6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet. Toss everything together until pasta is evenly coated with sauce, chicken, and spinach.
  7. Finish and Serve: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes if desired. Stir briefly and serve warm.

Notes

  • Use fresh baby spinach for a tender texture and quick wilting.
  • Cook chicken until just done to keep it juicy; let it rest briefly after cooking.
  • Reserve pasta water to naturally thicken the sauce and help it cling to the pasta.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for better melting and enhanced flavor.
  • Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness when combined with the sauce.
  • Frozen spinach can be used if thawed and excess water drained thoroughly.
  • Non-dairy cream alternatives like coconut milk or cashew cream can substitute heavy cream.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian-inspired
  • Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free pasta is used)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 450 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 350 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg

Keywords: chicken pasta, spinach pasta, quick dinner, healthy pasta recipe, creamy chicken pasta