Easy Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken Pasta Recipe Magic

Creamy spinach artichoke chicken pasta brings comfort and elegance to your dinner table with its luxurious blend of flavors.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients dance together in this hearty dish that revolutionizes ordinary weeknight meals into something spectacular.

Tender chicken pieces mingle with vibrant greens and rich, velvety sauce, creating a harmonious culinary experience.

Robust seasonings elevate each bite, promising a satisfying meal that feels both indulgent and nourishing.

The combination of classic ingredients offers a delightful twist on traditional pasta recipes, making it a crowd-pleasing option for families and gatherings.

Smooth textures and balanced tastes ensure this recipe will become a staple in your cooking repertoire.

Comfort meets sophistication in this delectable pasta that promises to delight your taste buds.

Why Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken Pasta Feels So Satisfying

• Whip Up Creamy Comfort: This recipe delivers a luxurious one-pan meal that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dinner with minimal kitchen effort.
• Tackle Texture Perfection: Experience a delightful blend of tender chicken, al dente pasta, and velvety sauce that creates an irresistible combination of smooth and hearty textures.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Designed for busy home cooks, this dish comes together in under 30 minutes, offering a gourmet-style meal without complicated techniques or excessive prep work.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Fusion: The creamy cheese sauce, paired with spinach and artichoke, provides a rich, satisfying flavor profile that appeals to both kids and adults, making it an ideal family dinner option.

Everything You Need for Spinach Artichoke Chicken Pasta

• Chicken Breasts: Tender meat as the main protein, choose fresh and plump for best texture.
• Black Pepper, Salt: Essential seasonings to enhance chicken's flavor, pure and fresh varieties recommended.

• Penne Pasta: Hearty pasta shape that holds creamy sauce well, medium-sized tubes ideal for catching sauce.
• Olive Oil: Adds rich flavor and helps prevent pasta sticking, extra virgin preferred for best taste.

• Heavy Cream, Milk: Create luxurious, smooth sauce base, full-fat versions provide richest flavor.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully, adds stretchy texture and mild, creamy taste, Monterey Jack works as great alternative.

• Artichoke Hearts: Tangy, tender vegetable that adds depth and complexity to dish, canned or jarred varieties work well.
• Spinach: Provides vibrant green color and nutritional boost, frozen spinach convenient and pre-chopped.

Cooking Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken Pasta with Ease

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Slice chicken breasts horizontally to create thinner pieces.

Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper on both surfaces.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.

Cook chicken for about 5 minutes on each side until golden brown.

Transfer chicken to a plate and cover with foil to rest.

Once cooled slightly, cut chicken into bite-sized chunks.

Step 3: Cook the Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil.

Add penne pasta and cook until tender but still firm.

Drain pasta in a colander, reserving a small amount of pasta water.

Step 4: Create the Creamy Sauce

Using the same skillet, pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.

Add cheese and stir until completely melted and smooth.

• Shredded cheese
• Heavy cream
• Milk

Reduce heat and slowly incorporate milk, stirring constantly to develop a luxurious sauce.

Step 5: Combine All Ingredients

Fold in cooked pasta into the creamy sauce.

• Chopped artichoke hearts
• Drained spinach

Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

Gently mix to combine all components.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Top the pasta mixture with sliced chicken pieces.

Garnish with extra cheese if desired.

Serve immediately while hot and creamy.

Tips for Balancing Creaminess in Spinach Artichoke Pasta

• Slice Smartly: Cut chicken breasts horizontally to ensure even cooking and faster preparation, preventing dry or undercooked sections.
• Season Generously: Use a blend of salt and pepper to enhance the chicken's flavor, creating a delicious base for the creamy pasta.
• Resting is Key: Allow chicken to rest after cooking to retain moisture and ensure it's fully cooked through without becoming tough.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Gradually add cheese while stirring to create a smooth, lump-free sauce that coats the pasta perfectly.
• Pasta Perfect: Cook penne until al dente to maintain a slight firmness, preventing mushy texture when mixed with the creamy sauce.

How to Store and Reheat Spinach Artichoke Chicken Pasta

• Refrigeration: Transfer the pasta to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
• Freezing: Pack the dish in a freezer-safe container, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing dishes with cream-based sauces, as they may separate when thawed.
• Reheating: Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk to restore the creamy consistency. Stir gently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. Microwave as an alternative, stirring every 30 seconds to distribute heat evenly.

Best Pairings for This Creamy Chicken Pasta Dish

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio cuts through the creamy sauce, balancing the richness with its bright, zesty notes.
• Complement with Fresh Salad: A light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette provides a tangy contrast to the heavy pasta, adding freshness and helping cleanse the palate.
• Serve with Garlic Bread: Crusty, herb-infused garlic bread soaks up the creamy sauce perfectly, adding a crunchy texture and complementing the dish's savory flavors.
• Match with Sparkling Water: A bubbly mineral water with a slice of lemon helps refresh the palate between bites, cutting through the dish's richness and enhancing the overall dining experience.

Tasty Variations for Spinach Artichoke Chicken Pasta

• Mediterranean Magic: Replace spinach with sundried tomatoes and add crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired flavor profile that brings tangy Mediterranean notes to the dish.
• Spicy Southwest Celebration: Incorporate diced green chiles, swap regular cheese for pepper jack, and sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes to create a zesty, southwestern-style pasta with a kick of heat.
• Herb Garden Fusion: Mix in fresh chopped basil, thyme, and parsley during sauce preparation, then garnish with toasted pine nuts for an aromatic herb-infused chicken pasta that elevates the classic recipe.
• Protein Power Boost: Substitute part of the chicken with crispy pancetta or bacon pieces, and add roasted garlic cloves to intensify the overall depth of flavor and provide an extra protein punch.

Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy spinach artichoke chicken pasta brings Italian-inspired comfort straight to your dinner table. Rich parmesan sauce and tender chicken mingle with hearty artichokes and silky spinach, creating a luxurious meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1.5 lb (680 grams) chicken breasts

Dairy:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup milk
• 1.5 cups (170 grams) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Vegetables and Pasta:

• 8 oz (226 grams) penne pasta
• 14 oz (397 grams) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 8 oz (226 grams) spinach, frozen, thawed completely, and drained

Seasonings:

• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Transform chicken breasts into thinner cutlets by carefully slicing horizontally to ensure even cooking and tender texture.
2. Liberally season the chicken cutlets with salt and pepper, creating a flavorful foundation for the dish.
3. Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature until it shimmers with potential, signaling readiness for cooking.
4. Carefully place seasoned chicken into the hot skillet, allowing each side to develop a golden-brown crust for approximately 5 minutes.
5. Remove chicken from heat, covering to let residual warmth complete the cooking process and preserve moisture.
6. After resting, slice the chicken into bite-sized morsels that will perfectly integrate with the pasta.
7. Fill a large pot with water, bringing to a rolling boil to prepare the penne pasta.
8. Cook pasta until it reaches the ideal al dente consistency, then drain thoroughly, preserving its slight resistance to the bite.
9. Utilize the same skillet to create a luxurious sauce base by introducing heavy cream and bringing to a gentle boil.
10. Incorporate shredded cheese, stirring continuously until it melts into a smooth, velvety mixture.
11. Gradually introduce milk while reducing heat, creating a silky sauce that will coat the pasta beautifully.
12. Gently fold the cooked penne into the creamy sauce, ensuring each pasta strand is elegantly embraced.
13. Add chopped artichoke hearts and drained spinach, mixing to distribute the vibrant vegetables throughout the dish.
14. Fine-tune the flavor profile with additional salt and pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
15. Crown the creamy pasta with the prepared chicken pieces, creating a harmonious and appetizing final presentation.

Notes

• Elevate this dish by using freshly grated Parmesan for maximum flavor depth.
• Customize heat levels by adding red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper according to preference.
• Leftover pasta stores beautifully in sealed containers for 3-4 days, making meal prep a breeze.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 668
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 817 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 45 g
• Cholesterol: 169 mg