Creamy pasta with chicken and spinach is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that combines tender pieces of chicken, fresh spinach leaves, and a rich and creamy sauce made with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and garlic. The dish is typically served with your choice of pasta, such as fettuccine or penne.
How To Make:
To make the dish, start by cooking your pasta according to the instructions on the package. While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add some olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add some diced chicken and cook until browned on all sides.
Next, add some minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute or until fragrant. Then, add some heavy cream and Parmesan cheese to the skillet and stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Finally, add some fresh spinach leaves to the skillet and stir until they are wilted and coated in the creamy sauce. Serve the pasta topped with the chicken and spinach mixture and garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper if desired.
Here are some tips and variations to help you make it even more delicious:
Tips:
Use good quality ingredients: Use fresh chicken, spinach, and good quality pasta to ensure that your dish tastes great.
Cook pasta al dente: Overcooked pasta can become mushy and lose its texture. Cook the pasta al dente, which means it's cooked but still slightly firm to the bite.
Save some pasta water: Save a cup of pasta water before draining the pasta. You can use it to adjust the consistency of the sauce later.
Don't overcook the chicken: Overcooked chicken can be tough and dry. Cook it just until it's no longer pink in the middle, and then remove it from the pan. It will continue to cook in the sauce.
Add seasoning gradually: Season the dish gradually, tasting as you go, until it's to your liking.
Variations:
Use different pasta: Try using different types of pasta, such as fettuccine, penne, or rigatoni. You can also use gluten-free or whole-wheat pasta if you prefer.
Add more vegetables: You can add other vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms to the dish.
Use different proteins: You can substitute the chicken with shrimp, salmon, or tofu for a vegetarian option.
Add more spices: Experiment with adding different spices to the dish such as chili flakes, garlic powder, or smoked paprika.
Use a different sauce: Instead of a cream-based sauce, you can use a tomato-based sauce or a pesto sauce.
Ingredients:
- 12 oz. penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into small pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through about 5-7 minutes.
Add the garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
Pour in the funk broth and bring to a poach. Let the mixture cook for a few minutes until the liquid has reduced by half.
Pour in the heavy cream and stir until the sauce is smooth. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and well combined.
Add the chopped spinach to the skillet and stir until wilted and incorporated into the sauce.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss until the pasta is coated in the creamy sauce.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot and enjoy!