Description
A creamy, delicious dish featuring chicken, fresh spinach, and fettuccine tossed in a cheesy Parmesan sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pieces chicken breasts (patted dry and seasoned)
- 2 cups fresh spinach (roughly chopped if large)
- 1 cup heavy cream (for sauce)
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons butter (unsalted)
- 8 oz fettuccine or linguine (cooked until al dente)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook the pasta until just al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and toss with a teaspoon of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry, then season generously with salt and pepper. Slice into strips or bite-sized pieces, ready for searing.
- Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the butter and minced garlic. Sauté over medium heat until fragrant and slightly golden, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently. Let it thicken slightly, about 3-4 minutes, until it begins to coat the back of a spoon.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth, creating a luscious, cheesy sauce. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
- Add the fresh spinach to the sauce, tossing quickly to wilt. Cook just until vibrant green and slightly wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything gently to coat in the creamy sauce and evenly distribute the greens and chicken.
- Cook for another 1-2 minutes until everything is heated through and the sauce is silky. If it gets too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and a twist of black pepper for added flavor.
Notes
- For a hint of spice, consider adding red pepper flakes.
- This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 150mg