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Creamy Spinach Pasta with Chicken Dinner

A close-up of creamy spinach pasta with chicken pieces served in a white bowl.
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A straightforward recipe for a satisfying weeknight dinner featuring tender chicken and spinach in a rich garlic cream sauce.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound pasta (fettuccine or penne)
  • 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
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 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 the drained pasta aside.
  2. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
  3. 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 the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 1 minute.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
  7. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and nutmeg until the sauce is smooth.
  8. Add the fresh spinach to the sauce and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
  9. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are well coated in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water until you reach your desired creaminess.
  10. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, you can add 1/4 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning with the garlic.
  • Use pre-shredded Parmesan cheese for faster melting, or grate your own for a smoother sauce.
  • If you prefer a tangier sauce, add 1 tablespoon of cream cheese along with the heavy cream.

Nutrition

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