Penne with Chicken and Spinach and Mushroom

Indulge in the creamy, comforting flavors of Penne with Chicken, Spinach, and Mushrooms—a restaurant-worthy pasta dish you can easily make at home. This recipe features tender penne pasta tossed in a rich Parmesan cream sauce, perfectly balanced with sautéed mushrooms, wilted spinach, and juicy slices of seasoned chicken breast. The sauce, made with a blend of heavy cream and chicken broth, is simmered to perfection with garlic, onions, and a touch of red pepper flakes for optional heat. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or an elegant dinner, this recipe comes together in just 45 minutes and serves up to four. Garnish with fresh parsley for a bright finish, and enjoy a hearty dish that’s as satisfying as it is delicious!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
• 4 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides.

Step 3

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest on a cutting board. Once cooled, slice the chicken into thin strips.

Step 4

In the same skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 5

Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, or until fragrant.

Step 6

Stir in the sliced mushrooms and cook for 5-6 minutes, or until the mushrooms release their moisture and brown slightly.

Step 7

Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the spinach wilts.

Step 8

Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 9

Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Allow the sauce to simmer for 3-4 minutes, until it thickens slightly.

Step 10

Add the cooked and drained penne pasta to the skillet, and toss to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce. If needed, add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency.

Step 11

Gently stir the sliced chicken into the pasta mixture to warm it through.

Step 12

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.

Step 13

Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Penne with Chicken, Spinach, and Mushrooms!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1784.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3523.2

Total Fat 175.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 85.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 677.8mg	0%
Sodium 4730.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 276.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.2g	0%
Total Sugars 9.9g
Protein 198.0g	0%

Vitamin D 26.2IU	0%
Calcium 1126.0mg	0%
Iron 22.4mg	0%
Potassium 2786.6mg	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: 45.4%

Protein: 22.8%

Carbs: 31.8%