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Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Spinach Pasta

A close-up of creamy chicken spinach pasta featuring fettuccine noodles, chunks of seasoned chicken, and wilted spinach.
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Make this easy chicken spinach pasta for a quick weeknight dinner. This recipe features tender chicken and fresh spinach in a rich garlic parmesan sauce.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 pound pasta (fettuccine or penne work well)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 5 ounces fresh spinach
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
  2. 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 aside.
  3. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for 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 2 minutes.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce starts to thicken slightly.
  7. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Add the nutmeg, if using.
  8. Add the cooked chicken and the fresh spinach to the sauce. Stir until the spinach wilts, about 2 minutes.
  9. Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the creamy sauce. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if the sauce seems too thick.
  10. Serve immediately for a family favorite chicken pasta dinner.

Notes

  • For a healthier option, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but the sauce will be thinner.
  • You can use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to make this a 30 minute chicken spinach pasta.
  • If you prefer a tomato base, add 1/2 cup of marinara sauce along with the heavy cream.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hearthbite.com/chicken-spinach-pasta-recipe/