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Easy Chicken Florentine Pasta with creamy spinach and tender chicken in a garlic sauce.

Easy Chicken Florentine Pasta — Creamy Spinach

A quick and comforting creamy pasta dish with chicken, spinach, and garlic that brings cozy vibes to your dinner table.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb Boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces Chicken thighs can also be used.
  • 8 oz Pasta (penne, rotini, or fettuccine) Short pasta works best for sauce adherence.
  • 4 cups Fresh baby spinach Can substitute with thawed frozen spinach, squeezed dry.
  • 1 cup Heavy cream Half and half or milk with cream cheese can be used for lighter sauce.
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated Mozzarella can be used, but it has a milder taste.
  • 2 cloves Fresh garlic, minced Powdered garlic can be used in a pinch.
  • 1 medium Onion, chopped Optional; adds flavor.
  • 1 cup Chicken broth For creating the sauce.
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil Can substitute with butter.
  • to taste Salt and pepper For seasoning.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until just tender. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and let brown without stirring for a couple of minutes.
  3. Add onion and garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and then heavy cream. Stir and let simmer for a couple of minutes until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
  5. Add spinach gradually, stirring until it wilts down and is bright green.
  6. Stir in grated parmesan and then the drained pasta. Mix well, adding reserved pasta water if needed for a silky consistency.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and more parmesan if desired.

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently, adding a splash of milk or broth to restore creaminess. You can freeze the dish, but be aware the cream may change texture. To freshen it up, add fresh spinach while reheating.