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Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 650
A rich and creamy pasta dish featuring tender chicken, fresh spinach, and Parmesan cheese, perfect for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 12 oz penne pasta (or preferred shape)

Chicken

  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch pieces)

Olive Oil

  • 3 tbsp olive oil (divided)

Garlic

  • 4 cloves garlic cloves (minced)

Chicken Broth

  • 1 cup chicken broth

Heavy Whipping Cream

  • 1.5 cups heavy whipping cream

Parmesan Cheese

  • 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)

Baby Spinach

  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach

Seasonings

  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp onion powder

Salt and Pepper

  • to taste salt and black pepper

Red Pepper Flakes

  • 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Fresh Herbs

  • chopped parsley or basil (for garnish)

Grated Parmesan

  • extra grated parmesan cheese (for serving)

Instructions 

  • Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
  • Pat chicken dry, season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Sear in 2 tbsp olive oil until golden and cooked through, then set aside.
  • Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil, sauté garlic until fragrant, then pour in chicken broth, scraping browned bits. Simmer briefly.
  • Stir in heavy cream, cook until sauce thickens, then melt in Parmesan cheese. Add red pepper flakes if using.
  • Wilt spinach in batches, return chicken to skillet, add pasta, and toss with sauce, adding reserved pasta water if needed. Garnish with herbs and extra Parmesan.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
Calories: 650kcal
Cost: $15
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: chicken, Pasta, Spinach