Description
A rich and creamy chicken pasta dish combining tender sautéed chicken, fresh spinach, and a smooth parmesan cream sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this comforting meal is perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Chicken
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into small bite-size pieces
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Flour, for dredging
Sauce and Flavorings
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 5 ounces fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Chicken: Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then lightly dredge in flour to coat.
- Sauté Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter with olive oil. Add chicken and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Make Sauce Base: Stir in chicken broth, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and Italian seasoning. Let the mixture simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to blend flavors.
- Add Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- Wilt Spinach: Stir fresh baby spinach into the sauce and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Incorporate Cheese: Add the freshly grated parmesan cheese and stir until melted, creating a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Combine Everything: Return the cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet. Toss well to coat all ingredients evenly in the creamy sauce.
- Serve: Serve the creamy chicken pasta warm straight from the skillet for a comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Use gluten-free pasta and flour to make this dish gluten-free.
- For added flavor, sprinkle extra parmesan cheese on top before serving.
- Ensure not to overcook the spinach to retain its bright color and mild flavor.
- This recipe can be doubled to serve larger groups.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
