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Chicken Spinach Penne Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 81 reviews

This Chicken Spinach Penne recipe features tender bite-sized chicken pieces sautéed with aromatic garlic and onions, combined with creamy spinach and Parmesan sauce, all tossed with perfectly cooked penne pasta for a rich and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Vegetables

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (10-ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

Liquids and Dairy

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

Carbohydrates and Seasoning

  • 1 lb penne pasta
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch of nutmeg (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Prepare the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, and set the pasta aside.
  2. Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add to the skillet. Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. Sauté Onion: Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
  4. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
  5. Cook Spinach: Add the thawed and squeezed dry spinach to the skillet, cooking for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
  6. Make Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Cook for several minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  7. Add Cheese and Nutmeg: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and a pinch of nutmeg if using, blending thoroughly into the sauce.
  8. Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken and the drained penne pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until well-coated. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your desired consistency.
  9. Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese to taste.

Notes

  • Make sure to squeeze out excess water from the thawed spinach to avoid a watery sauce.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
  • You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter option.
  • Adding a pinch of nutmeg enhances the flavor but is optional.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best flavor and texture.

Keywords: Chicken Spinach Penne, creamy chicken pasta, spinach pasta recipe, easy Italian chicken recipe, penne pasta with chicken and spinach

Find it online: https://biteandenjoy.com/chicken-spinach-penne-recipe/