Description
A quick and delicious creamy chicken spinach penne recipe that can be made in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 cups penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound diced boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Once boiling, add the penne pasta and cook until just tender, following the package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- In a large frying pan, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and sauté for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken pieces are golden and cooked through.
- Incorporate the chopped garlic, Italian herbs, sea salt, and black pepper into the pan, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until the garlic releases its aroma.
- Lower the heat and gently pour in the heavy whipping cream, stirring to blend everything together. Add the chopped spinach and sun-dried tomatoes (if using), allowing the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and softens.
- Toss the drained penne pasta into the skillet, mixing thoroughly to ensure the pasta is coated in the creamy sauce. Fold in the grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese until it melts and integrates into the dish.
- Plate the pasta immediately, garnishing with fresh basil leaves if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter dish, consider using half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Feel free to add in your favorite vegetables, such as bell peppers or mushrooms, to enhance the flavor and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg