Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Spinach Pasta
Make this simple stovetop chicken spinach pasta for a satisfying weeknight dinner. This creamy garlic Parmesan version is packed with flavor and comes together quickly.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 ounces pasta (fettuccine or penne work well)
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
- Season the cut chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Add red pepper flakes if you are using them.
- Add the fresh spinach to the sauce. Stir until the spinach wilts down, which takes about 2 minutes.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce.
- If the sauce seems too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water, one splash at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
- Serve this easy chicken spinach pasta recipe immediately.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- You can add sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce along with the spinach for extra flavor.
- This dish reheats well for lunch leftovers; add a splash of milk or broth when reheating to restore creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 750
- Fat: 38
- Saturated Fat: 22
- Unsaturated Fat: 16
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 38
- Cholesterol: 150
Find it online: https://www.purecookingjoy.com/chicken-spinach-pasta/