Description
A bright, satisfying pasta dish featuring tender chicken and fresh spinach.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (thinly sliced)
- 4 cups fresh spinach (roughly chopped if large)
- 3 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
- 8 oz pasta (spaghetti or fettuccine) (high quality, cooked al dente)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (for sautéing)
- 1 half lemon (for juice)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until just al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving a cup of pasta water, and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, thinly slice the chicken breasts and pat them dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper if desired.
- Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken slices and cook without moving for about 2-3 minutes until golden brown on one side.
- Flip the chicken slices and cook for another 2-3 minutes until cooked through and no longer pink inside. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Add another splash of olive oil if needed to the same skillet. Add the finely chopped garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant and slightly golden, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Add the fresh spinach to the skillet in batches if needed, tossing quickly to coat with garlic and oil. Cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted but still bright green, stirring constantly.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the spinach. Add the drained pasta and a splash of reserved pasta water. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the mixture and toss everything together until evenly coated and heated through, about 1-2 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more lemon juice, salt, or pepper if needed. Finish by sprinkling the grated Parmesan cheese over the top, tossing gently to combine.
- Serve immediately on warmed plates, garnished with extra Parmesan or lemon wedges if desired. Enjoy the vibrant flavors and tender textures of this bright, satisfying pasta dish.
Notes
- This dish can be garnished with freshly cracked black pepper or more Parmesan cheese.
- Adjust lemon juice to taste for desired tanginess.
- For a heartier meal, consider adding sun-dried tomatoes or grilled vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg