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–+ servings
Creamy chicken spinach pasta with tender chicken and penne in a dark skillet, ready to serve.

Chicken Spinach Pasta

Rebecca Blumer
A creamy, satisfying weeknight dinner, this Chicken Spinach Pasta comes together in about 30 minutes. It features tender chicken and fresh spinach in a rich, silky Parmesan sauce.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 665 kcal

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Instant-read thermometer

Ingredients
 

  • 8 ounces uncooked pasta
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Flour for dredging
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/3 cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
  • 5 ounces fresh baby spinach
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, following the package directions. The pasta should still have a little bite since it will finish in the sauce.
  • Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces, season with salt and pepper, and coat the pieces lightly with flour. The flour should form a thin, even layer rather than a heavy crust.
  • Heat the butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken and cook until the outside is no longer pink before transferring it to a plate. You want light browning on the edges without fully finishing the chicken at this stage.
  • Take the skillet off the heat and add the garlic, chicken broth, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and Italian seasoning, then return it to the burner and let it bubble briefly while scraping the pan. The garlic should smell fragrant, and the browned bits should loosen into the liquid for deeper flavor.
  • Return the chicken to the skillet and pour in the cream, then add the spinach and simmer for about 5 minutes. Keep the bubbling gentle so the sauce thickens without breaking, and cook until the spinach is wilted and the chicken is fully done.
  • Drain the pasta, add it to the skillet, and stir in the parmesan until the sauce coats the noodles evenly, then season with more salt and pepper if needed. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and cling to the pasta instead of pooling underneath.

Notes

Sauce tip: If your sauce gets too thick, stir in a small splash of reserved pasta water, milk, or chicken broth until it loosens and turns silky again.
Ingredient tip: For the smoothest sauce, grate your own Parmesan cheese. Pre-shredded varieties can make the sauce grainy.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or broth to restore the sauce's texture.
Nutrition information is an estimate based on common ingredients and serving sizes. Values may vary depending on brands, portions, and substitutions.

Nutrition

Calories: 665kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 38gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 158mgSodium: 500mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 2500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Chicken Spinach Pasta, Creamy Pasta, Weeknight Dinner
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