Creamy Chicken Pasta Delight

$- 300g fettuccine or your pasta of choice - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, roughly chopped - 3 cloves garlic, minced finely - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste - Fresh basil leaves - Additional Parmesan cheese Gather all these ingredients before you start cooking. It makes the process easy and fun. You can choose any pasta you like, but I love fettuccine for its rich texture. The chicken breasts should be diced into small pieces to cook evenly. Heavy cream gives the sauce its creamy goodness, while fresh spinach adds color and nutrients. For seasonings, olive oil and chicken broth provide a great base for flavor. Parmesan cheese adds a salty kick, and the Italian seasoning blend brings all the flavors together. Don’t forget to have salt and pepper handy! Finally, fresh basil leaves are perfect for garnish, giving your dish a fresh look and taste. With all these ingredients ready, you’ll be on your way to a delicious creamy chicken pasta! {{ingredient_image_2}} To start, fill a large pot with water. Add a generous amount of salt to the water. Bring this salted water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add 300g of fettuccine or your choice of pasta. Cook it for 8 to 10 minutes, or until it is al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. After cooking, drain the pasta but save about half a cup of the starchy water for later use. Next, take two boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Dice them into bite-sized pieces. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken to the skillet. Cook for about 6 to 8 minutes, turning it occasionally. The chicken should be golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a plate for later. In the same skillet, add 3 cloves of minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1 minute. Stir constantly to avoid burning. The garlic should become fragrant and lightly golden. Now, pour in 1 cup of low-sodium chicken broth. Stir as you bring it to a gentle simmer. Let the broth reduce for about 3 to 4 minutes. This will concentrate the flavors. Then, lower the heat and stir in 1 cup of heavy cream along with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Mix well until combined. Allow this mixture to simmer gently, thickening slightly. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta as well. Toss everything gently until well coated with the creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add small amounts of the reserved pasta water. This will help reach your desired creaminess. Fold in 1 cup of roughly chopped spinach. The heat of the sauce will wilt the spinach perfectly. Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Stir until the cheese melts, thickening the sauce beautifully. Taste and adjust with extra salt and freshly ground black pepper if needed. Plate generous servings of the creamy chicken pasta. Use deep bowls to keep it warm. For a nice touch, drizzle a little olive oil before garnishing. Top each plate with fresh basil leaves and sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese over the top. Enjoy your dish! - Ensuring chicken is tender: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for a juicy bite. Sear the chicken on medium heat for about 6-8 minutes. This helps keep it moist. Season well with salt and pepper for flavor. - Perfectly al dente pasta: Cook your fettuccine in boiling salted water. Follow the package instructions closely, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain it, but save some pasta water to adjust sauce thickness later. - Suggested herbs and spices: I love adding Italian seasoning to enhance the dish. Fresh basil is also a great choice for a fresh kick. You can even sprinkle some red pepper flakes for heat if you like. - Adding vegetables for nutrition: Spinach is a simple and tasty add-in. It wilts nicely in the warm sauce, adding color and nutrients. You could also try adding bell peppers or mushrooms for extra flavor and texture. - Serving in deep bowls: Use deep bowls to serve your pasta. This keeps it warm and allows for a good amount of sauce. - Drizzling olive oil for shine: A light drizzle of olive oil on top adds a nice sheen. It enhances the look and enriches the flavor. Garnishing with fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese makes it even more inviting. Pro Tips Cook Pasta Al Dente: Make sure to cook the pasta until it’s al dente for the best texture. This helps the pasta hold up against the creamy sauce without becoming mushy. Use Fresh Ingredients: Whenever possible, use fresh garlic, spinach, and Parmesan cheese. Fresh ingredients enhance the overall flavor of the dish significantly. Adjust Sauce Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water. This starchy water not only thins out the sauce but also helps it cling better to the pasta. Garnish Creatively: For an appealing presentation, consider garnishing with additional grated Parmesan, pine nuts, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. {{image_4}} You can use different cuts of chicken for this dish. Chicken thighs add more flavor and stay juicy. If you want a quick option, rotisserie chicken works great. Just shred it and mix it in. Leftover chicken from previous meals is perfect too. It saves time and reduces waste. If you need gluten-free options, look for gluten-free pasta made from rice or corn. Whole wheat pasta offers more fiber and a nutty taste. Vegetable pasta, made from zucchini or spinach, is a fun choice, too. It adds color and nutrients to your meal. For non-dairy cream substitutes, use coconut cream or cashew cream. Both provide a rich taste without dairy. If you want vegan cheese, try nutritional yeast or plant-based cheese. They melt well and add a cheesy flavor. Creamy chicken pasta lasts in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. Store it in a tight container to keep it fresh. Using glass or plastic containers with lids works best for storage. This keeps the flavors locked in and prevents spills. To freeze creamy chicken pasta, let it cool completely first. Then, place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Remove as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn. It can last for up to 3 months in the freezer. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Reheat in a pot over low heat. You may need to add a splash of water or broth to help it loosen up. You can repurpose leftovers into a yummy casserole. Just layer it with some cheese and bake until bubbly. You can also mix it into a salad. Toss it with fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light dressing for a quick meal. These ideas help reduce waste and add variety to your meals. You can make creamy chicken pasta healthier by using whole wheat pasta. This adds more fiber. Swap heavy cream for low-fat milk or yogurt. You can also use less cheese. Adding more vegetables like broccoli or zucchini boosts the nutrients. Consider using leaner cuts of chicken or even turkey. Yes, you can prepare this recipe in advance. Cook the pasta and chicken, then store them separately. Keep the sauce in an airtight container. When ready to eat, heat the sauce and combine all the parts. This method keeps everything fresh and tasty. Creamy chicken pasta pairs well with a fresh green salad. A simple Caesar or garden salad adds crunch. Garlic bread also makes a great side. For drinks, try a light white wine or sparkling water. These options balance the richness of the dish. Yes, there is a low-carb version. Use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash instead of pasta. These options are low in carbs and calories. You can still keep the creamy sauce by using cream or low-fat cheese. This way, you enjoy the flavors without the carbs. Absolutely! You can add bell peppers, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes. These veggies add color and flavor. Spinach is great, but you can also use kale or broccoli. Just sauté them in the skillet with the garlic. This keeps the dish fresh and nutritious. This creamy chicken pasta recipe blends simple ingredients and easy steps. You start with fettuccine, chicken, cream, and spinach. Season with olive oil, herbs, and Parmesan for taste. Sear chicken, boil pasta, and make a rich sauce. Combine everything, then add fresh herbs for garnish. In the end, you can customize it with different proteins or pasta. Store leftovers for future meals. Enjoy your cooking adventure, and make this dish your own!$

Creamy Chicken Pasta Delight

A rich and creamy pasta dish featuring tender chicken and fresh spinach.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients

300 g fettuccine or your pasta of choice
2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced finely
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup fresh spinach leaves, roughly chopped
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
for garnishing Fresh basil leaves

Instructions

In a large pot, bring salted water to a rolling boil. Add the fettuccine and cook according to the package instructions until al dente (usually about 8-10 minutes). Drain the pasta and set aside, but reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water for later use.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Season the diced chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then add them to the skillet. Cook for approximately 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked through. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a plate; set aside.
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic to the residual flavors. Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning, until the garlic becomes fragrant and lightly golden.
Carefully pour in the chicken broth, stirring as you bring it to a gentle simmer. Allow the broth to reduce for about 3-4 minutes, concentrating the flavors.
Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream along with the Italian seasoning. Mix well until the ingredients are fully incorporated. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing it to thicken slightly.
Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet, followed by the drained pasta. Gently toss everything until well coated with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add small amounts of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired creaminess. Finally, fold in the chopped spinach, allowing it to wilt in the heat of the sauce.
Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens beautifully. Adjust the taste with extra salt and freshly ground pepper if needed.
Plate generous servings of the creamy chicken pasta and garnish each plate with fresh basil leaves. For an extra touch, sprinkle additional grated Parmesan cheese over the top before serving.

Notes

Serve in deep bowls and drizzle with olive oil for added flavor.

Keyword chicken, creamy, dinner, pasta