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Creamy Spinach Chicken Pasta with Alfredo Sauce

A close-up bowl of Creamy Spinach Chicken Pasta with Alfredo Sauce, featuring fettuccine, seared chicken chunks, and wilted spinach.
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Make a rich and comforting pasta dish featuring tender chicken, fresh spinach, and a homemade creamy Alfredo sauce. This recipe is simple enough for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fettuccine or penne pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 5 ounces fresh spinach
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. Season the cut chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
  5. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it simmer for 3 minutes to slightly reduce.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Stir in the nutmeg.
  7. Add the fresh spinach to the sauce. Stir until the spinach wilts completely, which takes about 2 minutes.
  8. Return the cooked chicken and the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated.
  9. If the sauce seems too thick, add the reserved pasta water, one splash at a time, until you reach your desired creamy consistency.
  10. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving immediately.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese; pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
  • You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer darker meat.
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a slight kick.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastytipster.com/creamy-spinach-chicken-pasta-with-alfredo-sauce/