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
Scale
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.
