Description
This Tomato Spinach Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender chicken breast, fresh spinach, and juicy diced tomatoes in a rich Parmesan-infused sauce. Cooked pasta is tossed in the creamy tomato and spinach mixture, making for a comforting and easy meal perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Chicken
- 12 ounces (340g) pasta (penne, farfalle, or your choice)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sauce and Vegetables
- 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 the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sauté the garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Add tomatoes: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice into the skillet and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook spinach: Add the chopped spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Add cream: Stir in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, allowing flavors to meld.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the skillet and toss gently to coat it evenly with the creamy tomato-spinach sauce.
- Add Parmesan: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and stir until melted and the sauce becomes creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Rest: Remove the skillet from heat and let the pasta rest for a couple of minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve: Spoon the pasta into bowls and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Fresh spinach can be replaced with baby kale or Swiss chard if preferred.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta to retain a slightly firm texture for the best dish.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
