Dianne's Flavorful Chicken Pasta

Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with "Dianne’s Flavorful Chicken Pasta," a creamy, comforting dish packed with vibrant flavors and hearty ingredients. This recipe pairs tender, golden-seared chicken breasts with al dente penne pasta, all tossed in a luxurious garlic parmesan cream sauce infused with Italian seasoning and a hint of red pepper flakes for optional heat. Fresh baby spinach adds a pop of color and nutrition, making this one-pan wonder as wholesome as it is indulgent. Ready in just 45 minutes, this easy chicken pasta recipe is perfect for busy nights yet elegant enough for entertaining. Serve it garnished with extra Parmesan for the ultimate cheesy finish, and watch this crave-worthy dish become a family favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1.5 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 3 cups baby spinach leaves
• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside to rest.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Once the butter is melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer. Gradually stir in the heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. Add the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes (if using) and mix well.

Step 5

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 6

Slice the cooked chicken breasts into thin strips.

Step 7

Add the baby spinach leaves to the skillet with the sauce and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted.

Step 8

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. Gently fold in the sliced chicken.

Step 9

Serve immediately, garnished with additional parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1505.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3429.3

Total Fat 173.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 84.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.4g
Cholesterol 671.8mg	0%
Sodium 5083.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 259.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.1g	0%
Total Sugars 1.2g
Protein 189.4g	0%

Vitamin D 4.5IU	0%
Calcium 1044.3mg	0%
Iron 18.5mg	0%
Potassium 1413.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.6%

Protein: 22.6%

Carbs: 30.9%