Description
A creamy and comforting Tomato Spinach Chicken Pasta recipe featuring tender chicken, fresh spinach, and a rich tomato cream sauce tossed with your choice of pasta. Perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner that’s ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces (340g) pasta (penne, farfalle, or your choice)
Chicken & Seasoning
- 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
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce & Vegetables
- 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 Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, seasoning them with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and fully cooked through.
- Add Garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet with the chicken. Sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Add Tomatoes: Pour in the diced tomatoes along with their juice, stirring everything together. Bring this mixture to a simmer to combine the flavors.
- Add Spinach: Stir in the chopped fresh spinach. Cook for approximately 2 minutes until the spinach wilts and blends into the sauce.
- Incorporate Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and stir. Allow the sauce to simmer gently, becoming creamy and well combined.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss well to coat the pasta thoroughly in the tomato and spinach cream sauce.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese into the skillet. Stir until the cheese melts completely and the sauce reaches a smooth, creamy consistency. Adjust salt and pepper seasoning to taste if needed.
- Rest: Remove the skillet from heat and let the pasta rest for a couple of minutes. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Serve: Plate the pasta into bowls and garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- Use penne or farfalle pasta for best texture that holds the sauce well.
- Fresh basil garnish adds a lovely aromatic touch but is optional.
- Adjust cream quantity for a lighter or richer sauce based on preference.
- Cook chicken thoroughly to ensure food safety, especially when diced small.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and stored for up to 3 days; reheat gently to preserve creaminess.
