Description
A creamy and flavorful Tomato Spinach Chicken Pasta featuring tender chicken pieces, fresh spinach, and a rich tomato cream sauce. This one-pan skillet meal combines wholesome ingredients with simple steps for a perfect weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Proteins
- 12 ounces (340g) pasta (penne, farfalle, or your choice)
- 1 pound (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Sauces and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, with juice
- 2 cups fresh spinach, washed and roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnishing
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnishing (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sauté Garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet with the chicken and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Tomatoes: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook Spinach: Add the chopped spinach into the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Add Cream: Stir in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer to combine flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat with the creamy tomato sauce.
- Add Cheese and Season: Sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and sauce is creamy. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Rest and Meld: Remove skillet from heat and let the pasta sit for a couple of minutes to allow flavors to meld beautifully.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve pasta in bowls and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired.
Notes
- Use any short pasta shape such as penne or farfalle for best sauce adherence.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut cream for a dairy-free version.
- Fresh basil adds wonderful aroma, but it is optional.
- Ensure chicken is cooked through to avoid any food safety risks.
- Adjust seasoning and cream amount based on preference for sauce thickness and flavor.
