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Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 650
A rich and creamy pasta dish featuring tender chicken, fresh spinach, and Parmesan cheese, perfect for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 12 ounces penne pasta or rigatoni, fusilli, farfalle
  • 1 tablespoon salt for pasta water

Chicken

  • 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast (cut into 1-inch pieces)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1.5 cups whole milk
  • 0.5 cup low-fat cottage cheese (blended until smooth)
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese (about 3 ounces, grated)
  • 0.5 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt (to taste and adjust)
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Vegetables

  • 5 ounces fresh baby spinach (about 5 cups packed)

Garnish

  • extra Parmesan and parsley (for garnish)

Instructions 

  • Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, then reserve 1 cup pasta water and drain.
  • Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning; cook in olive oil until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
  • Sauté garlic in butter, then add milk, cottage cheese, and Italian seasoning; simmer until slightly thickened. Stir in Parmesan and seasonings.
  • Add spinach to sauce until wilted, then return chicken and pasta; toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency. Garnish and serve.

Notes

Adjust seasoning to taste and serve hot with extra Parmesan and parsley.
Calories: 650kcal
Cost: $15
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Chicken, Pasta, Spinach