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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Divide into bowls, top with freshly grated parmesan cheese, and serve hot.
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
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