Creamy Spinach Chicken Pasta

Creamy Spinach Chicken Pasta is a rich, comforting dinner made with tender chicken, fresh spinach, Parmesan, garlic, and a silky cream sauce. This easy pasta recipe is flavorful, cozy, and perfect for a simple weeknight meal.

Course dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian-Inspired

Keyword chicken pasta, creamy chicken dinner, creamy chicken pasta, creamy spinach chicken pasta, easy chicken pasta, garlic parmesan chicken pasta, parmesan cream pasta, spinach chicken pasta, spinach pasta, weeknight pasta recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings 4 servings

Calories 675kcal

Cost $15 for entire recipe

Equipment

Large pot
Large skillet
tongs or wooden spoon
Measuring cups and spoons
Sharp knife
Cutting board
colander
Cheese grater
paper towels

Ingredients

12 oz penne rigatoni, fettuccine, or pasta of choice
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil plus more if needed
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt plus more for pasta water
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
2 oz cream cheese softened and cut into small pieces
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
4 cups fresh baby spinach
Tiny pinch of nutmeg optional
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
1 to 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup reserved pasta water as needed

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Season with Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer, cooking in batches if needed. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through to 165°F. Transfer chicken to a plate.
Reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic to the same skillet. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
Pour in chicken broth and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes.
Reduce heat to medium-low. Add heavy cream and cream cheese. Stir until the cream cheese melts smoothly into the sauce.
Remove the skillet from the heat. Add Parmesan cheese a little at a time, stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Add the cooked pasta, chicken, and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss until evenly coated.
Add spinach, nutmeg if using, and red pepper flakes if using. Toss until the spinach is just wilted.
Add more pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the sauce is glossy and coats the pasta.
Place the skillet over low heat for 1 minute only if the pasta needs warming. Do not boil after adding the Parmesan.
Stir in 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Taste and add more lemon juice, salt, black pepper, Parmesan, or red pepper flakes as needed.
Serve warm with extra Parmesan on top.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce

Freshly grated Parmesan melts better into the cream sauce and gives this creamy spinach chicken pasta a rich, silky texture. Pre-shredded Parmesan can contain anti-caking ingredients, which may make the sauce grainy.

Do not boil the sauce after adding cheese

Once the Parmesan is added, keep the heat low or remove the skillet from the heat completely. High heat can cause the creamy pasta sauce to separate, so gentle heat is best for a smooth finish.

Cook the chicken in a single layer

For the best flavor, cook the chicken in a single layer so it browns instead of steams. If your skillet is crowded, cook the chicken in batches. The browned bits in the pan add extra flavor to the garlic Parmesan cream sauce.

Add spinach near the end

Fresh baby spinach wilts quickly, so add it near the end of cooking. This keeps the spinach bright, tender, and fresh-tasting without becoming soggy.

Use pasta water to adjust the sauce

Reserved pasta water helps loosen the sauce and makes it glossy. Add it 1 tablespoon at a time until the creamy spinach sauce coats the pasta evenly.

Add lemon juice at the end

A small amount of fresh lemon juice balances the richness of the heavy cream, cream cheese, and Parmesan. Start with 1 teaspoon, then add more only if the pasta needs a brighter flavor.

Make it your own

This creamy spinach chicken pasta recipe is easy to customize. Add sautéed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, crispy bacon, Cajun seasoning, or extra red pepper flakes for more flavor.

Using frozen spinach

Frozen spinach can be used in place of fresh spinach, but it should be thawed completely and squeezed very dry before adding it to the sauce. Too much moisture can thin out the cream sauce.