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Creamy Spinach Pasta with Chicken

Close-up of a bowl of Creamy Spinach Pasta with Chicken, featuring penne pasta, sautéed spinach, and diced chicken in a rich white sauce.
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Prepare a satisfying, creamy pasta dish featuring chicken and fresh spinach. This recipe is suitable for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

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

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. Set aside.
  2. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Whisk in the flour to the skillet and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  5. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth until smooth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream and nutmeg. Continue to simmer gently for 2 minutes.
  7. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water.
  8. Add the cooked chicken and fresh spinach to the sauce. Cook until the spinach wilts, about 2-3 minutes.
  9. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the creamy sauce.
  10. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a slightly lighter sauce, though the texture will be less rich.
  • Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to reduce preparation time further.
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a little heat.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://epicureempire.com/creamy-spinach-pasta-with-chicken-dinner/