Ingredients
– 8 ounces pasta (fettuccine or penne)
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
– 1 cup heavy cream
– ½ cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
– Pine nuts for garnish (optional)
– Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Creating Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta with Spinach is simple if you follow these steps:
1. Cook the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat Olive Oil: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
3. Cook Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
4. Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Add Spinach: Toss in the chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
6. Combine Cream and Pesto: Reduce heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream and add the pesto. Stir to combine and heat through.
7. Return Chicken to Skillet: Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Stir well to coat the chicken in the creamy pesto sauce.
8. Mix in Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated in the sauce.
9. Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
10. Serve: Plate the pasta and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and fresh basil leaves if desired.
Following these steps will ensure a delicious and creamy pasta dish that everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Fat: 25g
- Protein: 30g