Chicken Spinach Penne with Creamy Parmesan Sauce Recipe

Introduction

This Chicken Spinach Penne is a creamy, comforting pasta dish that’s easy to prepare on a weeknight. Tender pieces of chicken combine with spinach and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce, making it a family favorite in no time.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 1 lb penne pasta
• Pinch of nutmeg (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook the penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
2. Step 2: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Add to skillet and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
3. Step 3: Add chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Step 4: Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
5. Step 5: Add the thawed, squeezed-dry spinach to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
6. Step 6: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer and cook for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
7. Step 7: Stir in Parmesan cheese and a pinch of nutmeg, if using.
8. Step 8: Return cooked penne and chicken to the skillet. Toss everything to combine, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce is too thick.
9. Step 9: Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese.

Tips & Variations

• For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
• Try adding sun-dried tomatoes or mushrooms for extra flavor and texture.
• If fresh spinach is available, use about 5 cups chopped and sauté it briefly instead of frozen.
• To make it spicier, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking the garlic.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or broth if the sauce has thickened too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, this recipe works well with other short pasta shapes like rigatoni, fusilli, or farfalle.

Is it okay to use fresh spinach instead of frozen?

Absolutely! Use about 5 cups of chopped fresh spinach and sauté it until wilted before adding the liquids.

Chicken Spinach Penne with Creamy Parmesan Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 148 reviews

• Author: Marina
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

A creamy and satisfying Chicken Spinach Penne dish featuring tender chicken pieces, wholesome spinach, and al dente penne pasta all tossed in a rich Parmesan and heavy cream sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein & Dairy

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

Vegetables & Aromatics

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (10-ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

Pantry & Staples

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
• 1 lb penne pasta

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Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
2. Cook the Chicken: While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Add them to the skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Sauté the Onion: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook over medium heat until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
4. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for approximately 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
5. Cook the Spinach: Add the thawed and well-drained spinach to the skillet and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until heated through and well combined with the onions and garlic.
6. Make the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Allow it to cook for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
7. Add Cheese and Nutmeg: Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated. Add a pinch of nutmeg if desired to enhance the flavor.
8. Combine Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked chicken and drained penne pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up to your preferred consistency.
9. Serve: Serve the Chicken Spinach Penne immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese as desired.

Notes

• You can substitute fresh spinach for frozen if preferred—just use about 5 cups and sauté until wilted.
• For a lighter version, replace heavy cream with half-and-half.
• Adding a squeeze of lemon juice before serving can brighten the flavors.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Make sure to squeeze out excess water from thawed spinach to avoid a watery sauce.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Chicken pasta, spinach penne, creamy chicken pasta, easy dinner recipe, Italian pasta dish