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Creamy Spinach Pasta with Chicken

A close-up of fettuccine noodles coated in a rich, creamy sauce with spinach and chunks of seasoned chicken, ready for a Creamy Spinach Pasta with Chicken Dinner.
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A simple recipe for a rich, creamy pasta dish featuring chicken and spinach, suitable for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 12 ounces pasta (fettuccine or penne recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 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 (optional)

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining. Drain the pasta.
  4. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and let it simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and nutmeg, if using. Let the sauce warm through but do not boil.
  7. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth.
  8. Add the fresh spinach to the sauce and stir until it wilts completely.
  9. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta. Toss everything together until the pasta is coated in the sauce.
  10. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
  11. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For added flavor, you can sauté 1/2 cup of sliced mushrooms with the garlic.
  • Use rotisserie chicken for a faster preparation time.
  • You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a slightly lighter sauce, but the texture will be less rich.

Nutrition

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