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Quick Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Spinach Pasta

Close-up of creamy chicken spinach pasta featuring penne, seasoned chicken pieces, and wilted spinach in a white bowl.
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Create a comforting, flavorful chicken spinach pasta dish that feels gourmet but comes together fast. This recipe focuses on a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce, perfect for satisfying weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound penne pasta or preferred shape
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 4 cups fresh spinach
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. Season the chicken pieces with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and garlic powder.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
  4. 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.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 1 minute.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
  7. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
  8. Add the fresh spinach to the sauce. Stir until the spinach wilts down completely, about 2 minutes. Add red pepper flakes now if you are using them.
  9. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are fully coated in the creamy sauce.
  10. Serve immediately with extra grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • For a healthier version, substitute half the heavy cream with whole milk or use Greek yogurt mixed with a little pasta water for creaminess.
  • Penne or rotini work best to hold the rich sauce, but feel free to use your favorite pasta shape.
  • You can add sun-dried tomatoes or mushrooms when sautéing the garlic for extra flavor depth.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://blissbatter.com/chicken-spinach-pasta-quick-creamy-garlic/