Creamy chicken spinach pasta recipe that is easy, quick, and cooks in under 30 minutes. This spinach pasta with chicken is a comfort food that's packed full of flavor, rich, comforting, and delicious. It is perfect for weeknight dinner or for any occasion.
Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta Recipe
This creamy chicken spinach pasta recipe is easy, quick, and simple. In this blog post, you will learn how to cook chicken and spinach pasta that is healthy, flavorful, and delicious.
Chicken with spinach and pasta is perfect for busy nights or weekends as it takes less than 30 minutes to make this delicious dish. It is amazing and one recipe you will be making over and over again.
Creamy pasta recipes are comforting and the silky smooth texture of this creamy spinach pasta chicken is a delight to the taste buds and it's simply irresistible.
The chicken is flavorful and melts in the mouth, the spinach sauce is silky and fresh.
Not only is it easy and quick to cook, but it is also flavorful, and inexpensive to put together this dish. It's budget-friendly but 5-star restaurant quality.
The ingredients for this spinach pasta with chicken are few and simple and they work together to create a tasty meal. The herbs and spices used complement the dish.
Pasta with chicken spinach is adult and kid friendly and don't be surprised if they ask for seconds.
This spinach chicken and pasta dish is nutritious, colorful, and delicious. Let me show you how to make it.
Related Spinach Pasta
Ingredients
These are the ingredients you will need to make this chicken spinach pasta. The detailed ingredient list, measurements, and directions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Pasta: I have used rigatoni in this post, however, you can use penne pasta or any other short pasta you like.
Chicken breast- Use Boneless skinless chicken breast. Alternatively, this can be sub for boneless skinless chicken thighs.
Heavy Cream- This can be substituted with single cream or cream cheese.
Italian seasoning- This can be homemade or store bought. Can be substituted for Spaghetti seasoning.
Onions: I used brown onions for this. You can use red onions, yellow, or even shallots.
Garlic: Minced garlic, garlic granules, or garlic powder works fine. Freshly minced has more bold flavor.
Paprika: I like to use smoked paprika for a slightly smokey flavor but you can use sweet regular paprika if you prefer.
Salt
Pepper- I used black pepper but you can use cayenne pepper, red chilli flakes, or any other of our choice. Adjust quantity to your taste.
Olive oil: substitute with sunflower, vegetable, or other flavorless cooking oil.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated parmesan cheese is best. This can be Parmigiano.
How To Make Chicken Spinach Pasta
Mix the Italian seasoning, paprika, black pepper, onion granules, garlic granules, and salt.
Season the chicken breasts with half of the seasoning mix.
Place a large skillet on medium heat. Add olive oil, then when heated, add the chicken breasts. Pan fry for 5-6 minutes then flip the chicken to fry the other side for another 5-6 minutes.
Transfer the chicken breasts to a plate. Cut in bite-size cubes or slices. Set aside.
Cook the pasta: In a large pot, add water and bring it to a rapid boil. Add salt and the pasta then cook it on medium-high heat till pasta is cooked al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water then drain the pasta and set it aside.
While the pasta is boiling, on a separate burner, start cooking the spinach sauce.
Place the skillet for cooking chicken back on the cooker on low heat then add in chopped onions. Cook the onions for 1-2 minutes or until soft and translucent then add in chopped garlic. Cook it till it's fragrant (this takes about 30 seconds).
Add the remaining seasoning mix and salt, and saute for 30 seconds then add in the chicken and spinach.
Add heavy cream while stirring to deglaze the bottom of the skillet to lift the browned bits into the sauce.
Add parmesan, and simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes.
If the sauce is too thick add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it a bit then add in the cooked pasta.
Stir till all are well combined and cook for 2 minutes before taking off the heat.
Serve and enjoy.
What To Serve With
Creamy Spinach chicken pasta is a delicious dish that is served as the main meal. You can serve it with wine or any drink of your choice. It can also be served with sides like no yeast bread, garlic bread, or dinner rolls.
How To Store
Let it cool completely then pack in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
When required, it can be reheated in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop.
To reheat, on the stove - Transfer the pasta to a skillet then add a splash of water or chicken stock. Place on medium-high heat then cook until it's heated through.
To reheat in the microwave- Transfer pasta to a microwaveable plate, add a splash of water, cover, and reheat in the microwave for 1 minute then at 30-second intervals till it's warmed through.
Tips For Making Chicken and Spinach Pasta
- If you don't have Italian seasoning or pasta seasoning, substitute it for a combination of parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.
- I like making this with short pasta but you can use long pasta if you prefer.
FAQS
What to substitute for heavy cream?
For this recipe, you can substitute heavy cream for single cream (also known as half and half), cream cheese, or coconut cream.
Can I use ready cooked chicken?
Yes, you can. If you have leftover chicken or cooked chicken, just skip the part where you have to cook the chicken and follow the next directions.
Can I use frozen spinach?
Yes, you can use frozen spinach but that is if you first defrost and squeeze out the liquid before adding to the sauce.
Can I use cubed chicken?
Absolutely, Cubed chicken will cook quicker than chicken breast fillets so adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Can you freeze chicken spinach pasta?
Yes! Transfer this chicken pasta into an airtight container, label it, and store it in the freezer store for up to six months. When ready to reheat, put the pasta in the fridge to thaw overnight and reheat in the microwave or stovetop.
More Creamy Pasta Recipes
Creamy spicy chicken pasta (Chickenvibes.com)
Philadelphia cream cheese chicken pasta (chickenvibes.com)
Other Pasta Recipes
I hope you like this creamy chicken spinach recipe as much as we do. If you find this post helpful, please rate it 5 stars and leave me a comment below. I love reading from you.
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Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta Recipe
Equipment
- Pot
- Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 Chicken breast
- 300 g Pasta
- 2-3 cups Spinach
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- ¼ cup Chopped Onion
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon each Black Pepper, garlic granules, Onion granules
- 1-2 tablespoon Olive oil
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Mix the Italian seasoning, paprika, black pepper, paprika, onion granules, garlic granules, and salt.
- Season the chicken breasts with half of the seasoning mix.
- Place a large skillet on medium heat. Add olive oil, then when heated, add the chicken breasts. Pan fry for 5-6 minutes then flip the chicken to fry the other side for another 5-6 minutes.Transfer the chicken breasts to a plate. Cut in bite-size cubes or slices. Set aside.
- Cook the pasta: In a large pot, add water and bring it to a rapid boil. Add salt and the pasta then cook it on medium-high heat till pasta is cooked al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- While the pasta is boiling, on a separate burner, start cooking the spinach sauce.Place the skillet for cooking chicken back on the cooker on low heat then add in chopped onions. Cook the onions for 1-2 minutes or until soft and translucent then add in chopped garlic. Cook it till it's fragrant (this takes about 30 seconds).
- Add the remaining seasoning mix and salt, and saute for 30 seconds then add in the chicken and spinach.
- Add heavy cream while stirring to deglaze the bottom of the skillet to lift the browned bits into the sauce.
- Add parmesan, and simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes.If the sauce is too thick add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it a bit then add in the cooked pasta.
- Stir till all are well combined and cook for 2 minutes before taking off the heat.
- Serve and enjoy creamy chicken spinach pasta.
Notes
- If you don't have Italian seasoning or pasta seasoning, substitute it for a combination of parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.
- I like making this with short pasta but you can use long pasta if you prefer.
Nutrition
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