Easy Creamy Parmesan Spinach Chicken Pasta Recipe
This easy creamy Parmesan Chicken Spinach Pasta Recipe is a quick comfort food dinner that comes together in about 30 minutes. With cheesy, creamy pasta this is one weeknight dinner the whole family will be excited to gather around the table for.
Servings: 4
Equipment
- skillet
- large pot
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into pieces
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 large shallot, thinly sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup half and half
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan
- ½ cup gruyere, grated
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted water.
- While pasta is cooking, season chicken with salt, pepper and Italian seasonings.
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and add the tablespoon of olive oil.
- Add the chicken to the hot pan and cook for 3-4 minutes undisturbed so that chicken gets a good sear, then flip and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes or until the chicken is completely cooked through and no longer pink. During the last minute of cooking add the minced garlic and shallot to sauté along with the chicken. Remove everything from the pan and cover to keep warm.
- Return the pan to the stovetop over low heat and melt the butter. Add the flour and cook the flour to remove the raw flour taste (about 1 minute). Slowly add in the half and half while stirring to create the bechamel sauce. Once the sauce has completely thickened add the cheese to melt into the sauce.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce along with the cooked chicken and spinach. The heat from the sauce and the pasta will wilt the spinach. Stir well until everything is coated in the creamy sauce.
- Serve with extra grated parmesan cheese.