Creamy Garlic and Herb Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

• 2 Chicken breast (large, sliced into bite-sized pieces)
• 2 tbsp Olive oil (for searing chicken)
• 12 oz Penne pasta (or pasta of choice)
• 4 clove Garlic (minced)
• 1.5 cup Heavy cream
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
• 2 cup Fresh baby spinach (packed)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)

Steps

1. 1

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente.

2. 2

   While the pasta cooks, season the sliced chicken breast with salt, pepper, and half of the Italian seasoning.

3. 3

   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer.

4. 4

   Sear the chicken for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.

5. 5

   In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.

6. 6

   Pour in the heavy cream and add the remaining Italian seasoning. Bring to a gentle simmer.

7. 7

   Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce begins to thicken slightly.

8. 8

   Add the fresh baby spinach to the sauce and stir until it begins to wilt.

9. 9

   Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the drained pasta.

10. 10

    Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are thoroughly coated in the sauce. Serve immediately with extra parmesan if desired.

Notes

If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency. You can substitute the spinach with kale or sun-dried tomatoes for a different flavor profile.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• chicken
• dinner
• creamy
• garlic
• one-pan