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Creamy Spinach Chicken Pasta with Garlic

Close-up of Creamy Spinach Chicken Pasta with Garlic featuring fettuccine, chunks of chicken, and wilted spinach in a rich white sauce.
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Make this rich and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken, fresh spinach, and a creamy garlic sauce.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 5 ounces fresh spinach
  • 12 ounces pasta (fettuccine or penne recommended)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining. Set the pasta aside.
  2. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
  5. Stir in the heavy cream and cubed cream cheese. Whisk until the cream cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
  6. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. Add the fresh spinach to the sauce. Cook until the spinach wilts down, about 2-3 minutes.
  8. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
  9. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For a deeper garlic flavor, you can roast the garlic cloves before mincing them.
  • Use rotisserie chicken to reduce prep time for a quicker weeknight meal.
  • If you prefer a tangier sauce, substitute 2 tablespoons of lemon juice for 2 tablespoons of the chicken broth.

Nutrition

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