Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our quick and easy creamy chicken pasta recipe! Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish is packed with flavor and ready in under 40 minutes. Get the full recipe now and delight your family!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1–1.5 lbs)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 12–16 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, spaghetti)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (low sodium)
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2–3 cups fresh spinach, packed
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare and Cook Chicken: Pat chicken breasts dry and slice horizontally into thinner cutlets or 1-inch pieces. Season generously with salt, pepper, and optional Italian seasoning. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 3-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (165°F/74°C). Remove chicken, set aside, and tent with foil. Slice or dice if needed.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 to 1.5 cups of starchy pasta water. Drain pasta and set aside (do not rinse).
- Build the Creamy Sauce: In the same skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using); cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits, and simmer for 1-2 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Slowly pour in heavy cream, stirring constantly. Add Italian seasoning. Bring to a gentle simmer (do not boil). Gradually add grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked chicken pieces and fresh spinach to the creamy sauce. Stir gently until spinach is wilted (1-2 minutes). Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together, coating the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash (1/4 cup at a time) of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
- Serve and Garnish: Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!