Description
Indulge in this creamy and flavorful Chicken Pasta dish that combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce. This Italian-inspired meal is perfect for a cozy dinner at home or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your choice)
Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil pasta in salted water, drain, and set aside with 1/2 cup of pasta water reserved.
- Sear the chicken: Cook seasoned chicken in olive oil until golden; set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: Saute garlic, add tomatoes, spinach, cream, and Parmesan; simmer until thickened.
- Combine: Return chicken to skillet, add pasta, toss to coat. Thin sauce with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Serve: Garnish with herbs and enjoy hot.
Notes
- Use grilled or rotisserie chicken for quicker prep.
- Add mushrooms, peas, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.
- Swap cream for half-and-half or a non-dairy alternative for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 390mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
