If you’re craving a comforting, rich, and utterly satisfying meal, this Creamy Spinach Chicken Pasta Recipe is the answer you didn’t know you needed. It’s the perfect blend of tender chicken, fresh spinach, and a luscious creamy sauce that clings lovingly to every strand of pasta. Every bite feels like a warm hug—the kind of dish that comes together quickly but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen crafting it. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a cozy weekend dinner, this recipe will quickly become your go-to favorite that’s as delicious as it is simple to prepare.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering just a handful of simple, fresh ingredients is all it takes to create this delightful Creamy Spinach Chicken Pasta Recipe. Each item plays a crucial role: some add texture, some bring vibrant color, and others infuse incredible flavor that transforms everyday pantry staples into a mouthwatering masterpiece.
- Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless for easy cooking and tender bites of protein.
- Pasta: Your favorite pasta shape, ideally something that holds sauce well, like penne or fettuccine.
- Fresh spinach: Adds bright green color and a boost of nutrients while wilting down to a silky softness.
- Olive oil: Perfect for sautéing chicken and garlic, lending a subtle fruity richness.
- Garlic: Minced freshly to bring a savory punch and depth to the sauce.
- Heavy cream: The secret behind this recipe’s irresistible, velvety sauce texture.
- Chicken broth: Adds a savory base that keeps the sauce light and flavorful.
- Parmesan cheese: Grated to melt smoothly into the sauce, adding a nutty and salty kick.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering the dish.
- Black pepper: Adds just the right amount of subtle heat and earthiness.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): For a little extra warmth and spice if desired.
- Butter: Incorporated to enrich the sauce and give it a glossy finish.
How to Make Creamy Spinach Chicken Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Cook the pasta
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. The salt seasons the pasta from within, making every bite flavorful. Add your pasta and cook it according to package instructions until it’s just al dente—you want it tender but still with a slight bite. Drain the pasta, but save about half a cup of the pasta water; this starchy liquid will come in handy later for loosening up your sauce to the perfect consistency.
Step 2: Cook the chicken
While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add your chicken breasts and cook them for about 5 to 7 minutes on each side until they’re cooked thoroughly and no longer pink inside. This step seals in the juicy flavors. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest for a few minutes—this helps the juices redistribute so your chicken stays moist when sliced.
Step 3: Sauté garlic and spinach
Without cleaning the skillet, add butter and minced garlic. Keep the garlic moving in the pan so it becomes fragrant but doesn’t burn, usually about 1 to 2 minutes. Then, toss in your fresh spinach. Watch as it quickly wilts down to a tender, vibrant green, creating a perfect base for your creamy sauce.
Step 4: Build the creamy sauce
Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring well to blend everything together. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 4 to 5 minutes until it thickens a little, becoming luscious and velvety. Then, sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until it melts fully, enriching the sauce’s flavor and texture.
Step 5: Season and combine
Season your sauce with salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a mild kick. Slice your rested chicken into thin strips or bite-sized pieces. Add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing it with the sauce to coat every strand. If the sauce is a bit too thick, pour in some reserved pasta water to loosen it—it’s like magic how it transforms the dish at this point. Finally, fold in the chicken, making sure everything is evenly covered in that dreamy, creamy sauce.
Step 6: Final taste and serve
Give everything a final taste. Adjust salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes to your liking. Then it’s time to plate up and enjoy that satisfying, hearty meal straight away.
How to Serve Creamy Spinach Chicken Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your dish, sprinkle a little extra freshly grated Parmesan on top. A dash of chopped fresh parsley or basil adds color and a fresh herbal note that contrasts beautifully with the creamy sauce. A light drizzle of good quality olive oil can give it a silky finish that’s hard to resist.
Side Dishes
This pasta dish is wonderfully filling on its own but pairing it with a crisp green salad or garlic bread makes it feel extra special. Roasted vegetables like asparagus or cherry tomatoes provide complementary texture and a burst of sweetness that balance the richness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the pasta in shallow bowls rather than deep plates to showcase the colorful spinach and tender chicken nestled in creamy sauce. For a dinner party, garnish each plate with a lemon wedge to let guests add a squeeze of brightness that wakes up the flavors delightfully.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your meal, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The creamy texture will hold up well for up to 3 days, making for an excellent next-day meal that tastes just as good.
Freezing
This Creamy Spinach Chicken Pasta Recipe isn’t the best candidate for freezing, as cream-based sauces can sometimes separate when thawed. If you want to freeze the chicken and spinach separately or just the cooked chicken, do so in airtight freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.
Reheating
When reheating your leftovers, do it gently on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently and adding a splash of milk or broth to bring back the sauce’s creamy texture. Avoid the microwave or high heat to keep the chicken tender and the sauce silky.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?
Absolutely! While this recipe works beautifully with penne or fettuccine, feel free to experiment with spaghetti, rigatoni, or even whole wheat pasta—just keep in mind the cooking times may vary slightly.
Is there a lighter version of this Creamy Spinach Chicken Pasta Recipe?
Yes! You can swap heavy cream for half-and-half or a mix of milk and Greek yogurt to reduce fat content. Just be careful with temperature when using yogurt to prevent curdling.
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
While fresh spinach gives the best texture and color, frozen spinach can be a convenient substitute. Just make sure to thaw and drain it well to avoid excess water making the sauce watery.
How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
The safest way is to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer—it should read 165°F. Visually, the chicken should have no pink inside and juices should run clear.
Can this recipe be made vegetarian?
To make it vegetarian, skip the chicken and use vegetable broth in place of chicken broth. You can add sautéed mushrooms or roasted vegetables to keep the dish hearty and satisfying.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Spinach Chicken Pasta Recipe is pure comfort nestled in a bowl, bursting with fresh flavors and silky sauce that everyone will love. It’s a recipe that’s easy enough for weeknights but impressive enough to serve company. I can’t wait for you to try it and turn it into a beloved staple in your own kitchen.
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Creamy Spinach Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 10m
- Cook Time: 0h 20m
- Total Time: 0h 30m
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
This creamy spinach chicken pasta combines tender, juicy chicken breasts with fresh spinach and a rich Parmesan cream sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta for a comforting and flavorful meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Pasta
- 8 ounces pasta
Sauce
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta. Heat a large pot of salted water over medium-high heat until boiling, then add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
- Drain Pasta and Reserve Water. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water to help adjust the sauce consistency later.
- Cook the Chicken. While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and the chicken is no longer pink.
- Rest the Chicken. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside on a plate to rest for a few minutes.
- Sauté Garlic and Spinach. In the same skillet, add butter and minced garlic, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Then add fresh spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted.
- Make the Sauce. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Simmer for 4-5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Add Parmesan and Seasonings. Stir in grated Parmesan until melted. Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Slice Chicken. Cut the rested chicken breasts into thin strips or bite-sized pieces.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss in the creamy sauce, using reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Add Chicken and Finalize. Stir in the sliced chicken, ensuring all ingredients are well coated with the sauce. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Serve. Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Use chicken breasts of even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency—starchy water helps the sauce cling better to pasta.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it may be less rich.
- If you prefer, use spinach leaves that are baby or tender for quicker wilting.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and can be omitted for a milder flavor.
