Chicken Spinach Pasta Recipe

You’ll master this chicken spinach pasta through precise technique and proper ingredient preparation. Start by selecting boneless, skinless chicken breasts—uniformly thick cuts guarantee even cooking. Your spinach selection matters: fresh baby leaves wilt quickly, while mature leaves require longer cooking times. Choose pasta shapes with surface texture to hold the creamy parmesan sauce effectively. Temperature control becomes critical during sauce preparation to prevent curdling. The real challenge lies in achieving perfect timing coordination between all components.

Overview

• Cook 12 oz pasta al dente, season and brown 1 lb chicken pieces, then sauté garlic in butter.
• Add heavy cream and fresh spinach to the skillet, simmering until spinach wilts completely.
• Combine cooked chicken, pasta, and parmesan cheese, tossing to create a creamy, cohesive sauce.
• Reserve pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency and prevent the dish from drying out.
• Pound chicken to uniform thickness and avoid overcrowding the skillet for proper browning and cooking.

Recipe

This hearty chicken spinach pasta combines tender pieces of seasoned chicken breast with fresh spinach and perfectly cooked pasta in a creamy, flavorful sauce. The dish offers a wonderful balance of protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates, making it an ideal comfort meal that satisfies both nutritional needs and taste preferences.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and versatility. Using basic pantry ingredients and fresh components, you can create a restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes. The combination of garlic, herbs, and parmesan cheese creates a rich flavor profile that complements the mild chicken and earthy spinach perfectly.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 12 oz penne or fettuccine pasta
• 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
7. Return the chicken to the skillet, add the cooked pasta and parmesan cheese, tossing everything together until the cheese melts and creates a creamy sauce.
8. Season with additional salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Serve immediately.

Cooking Steps

Begin by cooking your pasta according to package directions until it reaches al dente texture, then drain and reserve one cup of the starchy cooking water.

Season your chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning before browning them in heated olive oil over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes until golden and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and proceed to build your cream sauce by sautéing minced garlic in butter, adding heavy cream and spinach, then combining all components together with parmesan cheese.

Step 1. Cook Pasta Until Tender

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat, ensuring you’ve added approximately one tablespoon of salt per four quarts of water to enhance the pasta’s flavor absorption.

Add your penne or fettuccine to the rapidly boiling water, stirring immediately to prevent sticking. Follow package directions for ideal cooking time, typically 8-12 minutes depending on pasta type and thickness.

Test for al dente preparation by sampling a piece two minutes before the suggested cooking time expires—it should offer slight resistance when bitten while maintaining a tender exterior. Reserve one cup of starchy pasta water before draining, as you’ll use this liquid gold to adjust your sauce consistency later. Drain thoroughly but don’t rinse, preserving the surface starch that helps sauce adherence.

Step 2. Season and Brown Chicken

While your pasta water heats, pat the chicken breast pieces completely dry with paper towels to guarantee thorough browning and prevent oil splatter. Season the bite-sized pieces generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, confirming even coverage for ideal flavor penetration.

Heat olive oil in your large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers but doesn’t smoke. Add the seasoned chicken in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding which compromises proper chicken browning. Let each piece sear undisturbed for 3-4 minutes before flipping, developing that coveted golden crust.

Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear. This methodical approach guarantees superior chicken texture—tender, juicy interiors with perfectly caramelized exteriors that’ll elevate your pasta dish.

Step 3. Sauté Garlic in Butter

After removing the perfectly browned chicken from your skillet, immediately add butter to the same pan while the surface retains its ideal heat level. The residual heat will melt the butter to a perfect liquid texture without burning.

Add your minced garlic and sauté for exactly 30 seconds, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon. You’ll know you’ve achieved the right timing when the garlic aroma becomes fragrant and fills your kitchen—this signals the garlic has released its essential oils without developing bitter notes. Don’t let the garlic brown, as this creates harsh flavors that’ll overpower your dish.

The butter texture should remain smooth and golden, creating the foundation for your cream sauce.

Step 4. Add Cream and Spinach

Once your garlic reaches peak fragrance, pour the heavy cream directly into the skillet and increase heat to medium-high. You’ll notice the cream beginning to bubble gently around the edges—this indicates proper temperature for ideal sauce development. Maintain this gentle simmer for approximately one minute, allowing the cream to thicken slightly and incorporate the aromatic garlic base.

Now add your fresh spinach leaves directly to the cream mixture. The spinach will initially appear voluminous but will quickly wilt down to manageable proportions. Stir continuously for two minutes until the leaves are completely wilted and evenly distributed. This technique guarantees your added vegetables maintain their vibrant color while contributing to the sauce’s creamy texture without releasing excess moisture.

Step 5. Combine All Ingredients Together

Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet containing your cream and spinach mixture, guaranteeing even distribution across the surface. Add the drained pasta immediately while the cream maintains its heat, creating ideal binding conditions.

Toss everything together using tongs or a large spoon, incorporating the grated parmesan cheese gradually to prevent clumping. The residual heat will melt the cheese, developing that signature creamy texture we’re all seeking. Continue combining for 2-3 minutes until the sauce coats each pasta piece uniformly. This technique assures balanced flavors throughout every bite.

Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes as needed. The final dish should demonstrate proper sauce-to-pasta ratio with no pooling liquid.

Top Tips

While mastering this chicken spinach pasta requires attention to several key techniques, achieving restaurant-quality results depends primarily on proper protein preparation and sauce consistency management. You’ll want to pound chicken breasts to uniform thickness before cutting, ensuring even cooking throughout your versatile preparation. Don’t overcrowd the skillet when searing—work in batches if necessary to maintain proper browning temperature.

For ideal creamy consistency, gradually incorporate parmesan cheese off direct heat, whisking continuously to prevent separation. Reserve pasta water before draining; its starch content becomes essential for sauce adjustment. When wilting spinach, remove excess moisture by gently pressing leaves against the pan’s side. Time your components strategically—have everything prepped before starting, as this dish moves quickly once you begin cooking.

Nutritional Guide

Nutrient	Per Serving (serves 4)
Calories	625
Total Fat	28g
Carbohydrates	48g
Protein	42g
Fiber	3g
Sodium	580mg

This chicken spinach pasta provides an excellent source of complete protein from the chicken breast, supporting muscle maintenance and growth. The spinach contributes valuable nutrients including iron, folate, and vitamin K, while the pasta offers energy-providing complex carbohydrates. The cream and parmesan cheese add calcium for bone health, though they also contribute to the dish’s higher fat content.

Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on specific brands of ingredients used, portion sizes, and preparation methods.

Final Thoughts

Bringing together all the elements of this chicken spinach pasta recipe results in a versatile dish that you can easily adapt to your preferences and dietary needs. You’ll appreciate the convenience of utilizing common pantry staples while achieving professional-quality results.

The recipe’s inherent versatility allows for strategic substitutions—swap heavy cream for half-and-half to reduce calories, incorporate sun-dried tomatoes for enhanced flavor complexity, or substitute different pasta shapes based on availability. You can confidently modify seasoning profiles by adjusting herb combinations or adding white wine for depth.

The technique translates seamlessly to meal prep scenarios, maintaining quality when properly stored. This foundational recipe empowers you to develop culinary confidence while creating restaurant-caliber dishes that satisfy both nutritional requirements and flavor expectations within your home kitchen environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Substitute Chicken Thighs for Chicken Breasts in This Recipe?

You can substitute boneless, skinless thighs for chicken breasts—they’ll actually enhance flavor and tenderness. Increase cooking time by 2-3 minutes to guarantee proper doneness, and you’ll achieve superior moisture retention.

What Other Vegetables Can I Add Besides Spinach?

You’ll achieve ideal flavor integration by incorporating broccoli florets and bell pepper strips. Add these vegetables during the sauté phase with garlic, ensuring proper cooking times for desired texture retention and uniform distribution throughout your pasta preparation.

How Long Will Leftovers Stay Fresh in the Refrigerator?

How long will your culinary creation last? Following proper refrigeration guidelines, you’ll maintain ideal food safety for three to four days maximum. Storage duration depends on maintaining consistent temperatures below 40°F in sealed containers.

Can I Make This Recipe Dairy-Free or With Lighter Ingredients?

You can substitute plant-based substitutes like cashew cream or coconut milk for heavy cream, and use reduced fat alternatives such as light cream cheese or nutritional yeast instead of parmesan for comparable results.

What Wine Pairs Best With Chicken Spinach Pasta?

You’ll discover white wines actually complement creamy dishes better than reds. Choose a buttery Chardonnay to mirror the sauce’s richness, or select a smooth Merlot if you’re craving red wine’s tannins against the dish’s luxurious texture.