One-Pan Garlic Herb Chicken and Spinach Pasta

Ingredients

• 2 lb chicken breast (cubed)
• garlic and herb seasoning (to taste)
• 0.25 cup all-purpose flour (for coating)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 tbsp garlic and herb butter (divided; 2 tbsp for browning chicken, 2 tbsp for pasta)
• 1 lb dry pasta (such as rotini or penne)
• 4 cup chicken broth
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese (plus extra for garnish)
• 2 cup fresh spinach
• red pepper flakes (for garnish)

Steps

1. 1

   Cube the chicken into bite-sized pieces and place them in a bowl. Season generously with garlic and herb seasoning.

2. 2

   Add approximately 1/4 cup of flour to the chicken and toss until every piece is thoroughly and evenly coated.

3. 3

   In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the garlic and herb butter.

4. 4

   Once the butter is melted and the pan is hot, add the chicken in a single layer. Cook for about 3 minutes on each side until the chicken is golden brown with a nice crust.

5. 5

   Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate for later.

6. 6

   Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of garlic and herb butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the entire pound of dry pasta and toss to coat the noodles in the butter.

7. 7

   Pour in 4 cups of chicken broth. Increase the heat to high to bring the liquid to a boil.

8. 8

   Cook the pasta for about 9 minutes, or until the noodles are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

9. 9

   Reduce the heat and stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of shredded parmesan cheese. Mix until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.

10. 10

    Add 2 cups of fresh spinach to the skillet. Stir well until the spinach is wilted and combined into the pasta.

11. 11

    Place the cooked chicken back on top of the pasta.

12. 12

    Garnish with additional freshly shredded parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes before serving.

Notes

This is a versatile base recipe; you can swap the chicken for shrimp or change the seasoning profile to Cajun or Italian. Ensure the skillet is large enough to hold a full pound of pasta and 4 cups of broth.

Nutrition per serving

• one-pan
• main dish
• chicken
• pasta
• dinner
• creamy
• spinach
• easy