Creamy Spinach Pasta with Chicken
Creamy Spinach Pasta with Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
For the Pasta and Sauce
- 12 ounces fettuccine pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Season the chicken pieces with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
⏱️ 2 min
- 2
Add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the fettuccine pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
In the same skillet (no need to clean it), melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Add the fresh spinach to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the spinach wilts completely, about 2-3 minutes.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Stir in 3/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes (if using), 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Continue to simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce slightly thickens.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta thoroughly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the pasta and sauce. Toss gently to combine and heat through for 1-2 minutes.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Spinach Pasta with Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
For the Pasta and Sauce
- 12 ounces fettuccine pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Season the chicken pieces with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
⏱️ 2 min - 2
Add the seasoned chicken to the hot skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the fettuccine pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
In the same skillet (no need to clean it), melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Add the fresh spinach to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the spinach wilts completely, about 2-3 minutes.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Stir in 3/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes (if using), 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Continue to simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce slightly thickens.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta thoroughly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the pasta and sauce. Toss gently to combine and heat through for 1-2 minutes.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
⏱️ 1 min