Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta
A delicious and comforting dish combining tender chicken, fresh spinach, and a creamy sauce, perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Pasta and Chicken
- 8 oz 8 oz (225 g) pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your favorite) Use your favorite pasta shape.
- 1 lb 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces Either chicken breasts or thighs can be used.
- Salt and black pepper, to taste For seasoning chicken.
- 1 tsp 1 teaspoon paprika (optional) For added flavor.
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 tbsp 1 tablespoon olive oil For sautéing chicken.
- 3 cloves 3 cloves garlic, minced For flavor.
- 2 cups 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped Use fresh for best flavor.
- 1 cup 1 cup heavy cream For a creamy sauce.
- ½ cup ½ cup chicken broth To thin the sauce.
- ½ cup ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese For flavor and creaminess.
- 1 tsp 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried basil For seasoning.
- ¼ tsp ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for mild heat) Adjust for desired spice level.
- Extra Parmesan (for garnish) For serving.
- Fresh parsley or basil (for garnish) For freshness.
Instructions
Cooking Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water.
Cooking Chicken
- Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Making Sauce
- In the same skillet, sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until smooth.
Combining Ingredients
- Add chopped spinach to the sauce and cook for 1–2 minutes until wilted.
- Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss in cooked pasta, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Plate the pasta and garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs. Serve immediately.
Notes
Cook the pasta al dente for best texture. Use fresh spinach for better flavor, but frozen spinach can also work. Feel free to add other veggies like mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes.