Easy Chicken Pasta: A Comforting Weeknight Dinner Solution 🍝

There’s something magical about a simple chicken pasta dish that brings warmth to any table. When life gets hectic and time is short, this easy chicken pasta recipe becomes your culinary best friend! Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, this dish combines tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and creamy sauce for a meal that’s both satisfying and uncomplicated. 🥰

Why This Easy Chicken Pasta Will Become Your Go-To Recipe

We all need those reliable recipes that deliver maximum flavor with minimum effort. This easy chicken pasta checks all the boxes – it’s quick to prepare, uses simple ingredients you likely have on hand, and creates a restaurant-worthy meal without the fuss.

The combination of tender chicken pieces with al dente pasta and a silky cream sauce makes for a dish that feels indulgent yet comes together in just minutes!

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make this deliciously easy chicken pasta, gather these simple ingredients:

• 280g pasta (penne, fusilli, or your favorite shape)
• 300g chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 250ml cream
• A generous handful of cherry tomatoes, halved
• A handful of fresh spinach leaves
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Olive oil for cooking
• Spices to taste (salt, black pepper, paprika powder, dried basil, chili flakes)
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving

The beauty of this easy chicken pasta is its versatility. Feel free to use what you have in your fridge – that’s the essence of easy cooking! 😊

Simple Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining.
2. Cook the chicken: While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and paprika powder, then cook until golden brown and cooked through (about 6-8 minutes). Transfer to a plate.
3. Create the base: In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed. Sauté the diced onion until translucent (about 3 minutes), then add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Build the sauce: Pour in the cream, bring to a gentle simmer, then add the cherry tomatoes. Let them soften slightly in the sauce for 2-3 minutes.
5. Combine everything: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, add the drained pasta, and toss everything together. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
6. Final touches: Fold in the fresh spinach and let it wilt from the heat of the pasta. Season with additional salt, pepper, basil, and a pinch of chili flakes if you enjoy a little heat.
7. Serve and enjoy: Divide your easy chicken pasta into bowls, top generously with freshly grated parmesan cheese, and enjoy while hot! 🍝

Tips for the Perfect Easy Chicken Pasta

The secret to truly exceptional, easy chicken pasta lies in a few simple techniques:

• Cook the pasta just until al dente – it will continue cooking slightly when added to the sauce
• Don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken – work in batches if necessary for proper browning
• Season at various stages rather than all at once for layered flavor
• Fresh herbs make a wonderful addition if you have them on hand
• For an even easier cleanup, consider making this a one-pot meal by using a deep skillet

Variations to Keep This Easy Chicken Pasta Exciting

While this recipe is perfect as is, here are some simple twists to keep your easy chicken pasta repertoire fresh and exciting:

• Add mushrooms for an earthy flavor dimension
• Swap the cream for half and half or even Greek yogurt for a lighter version
• Include sun-dried tomatoes instead of fresh for a more intense flavor
• Try different herb combinations like oregano, thyme, or rosemary
• Incorporate a splash of white wine into the sauce for a more complex flavor profile

This easy chicken pasta recipe proves that delicious homemade meals don’t require complicated techniques or hours in the kitchen. In less than 30 minutes, you can create a dish that’s comforting, satisfying, and bursting with flavor. Perfect for those evenings when you want something tasty without the stress! 😋

The beauty of easy cooking is that it gives us space to enjoy what matters most – sharing good food with the people we care about. So next time you’re wondering what to make for dinner, remember this simple yet delicious, easy chicken pasta recipe waiting to save the day!

Easy Chicken Pasta: A Comforting Weeknight Dinner Solution 🍝

• Author: Alora chef
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-inspired
• Diet: Low Salt

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Description

A quick and delicious creamy chicken pasta dish featuring tender chicken breast, cherry tomatoes, and spinach in a rich sauce – perfect for busy weeknights.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 280g pasta (penne, fusilli, or your favorite shape)
• 300g chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 250ml cream
• 1 handful of cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 handful of fresh spinach leaves
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika powder
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional)
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese for serving

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Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and paprika powder, then cook until golden brown and cooked through (about 6-8 minutes). Transfer to a plate.
3. In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed. Sauté the diced onion until translucent (about 3 minutes), then add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Pour in the cream, bring to a gentle simmer, then add the cherry tomatoes. Let them soften slightly in the sauce for 2-3 minutes.
5. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, add the drained pasta, and toss everything together. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
6. Fold in the fresh spinach and let it wilt from the heat of the pasta. Season with additional salt, pepper, basil, and a pinch of chili flakes if desired.
7. Divide into bowls, top with freshly grated parmesan cheese, and serve hot.

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Notes

• Cook the pasta just until al dente – it will continue cooking slightly when added to the sauce
• Don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken – work in batches if necessary for proper browning
• Season at various stages rather than all at once for layered flavor
• Fresh herbs make a wonderful addition if you have them on hand
• For an easier cleanup, consider making this a one-pot meal by using a deep skillet
• Try adding mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or a splash of white wine for variations

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
• Calories: 520 kcal
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 380mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: easy chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, quick dinner, weeknight meal, chicken and spinach pasta, creamy pasta recipe