One-Pot Spinach Chicken Pasta (Printable)

Hearty one-pot blend of tender chicken, vibrant spinach, and pasta in a light savory sauce for busy evenings.

# What You Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced (approximately 10.5 oz)

→ Vegetables & Greens

02 - 3 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped (about 3.2 oz)
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Pasta & Liquids

05 - 9 oz short pasta (penne, fusilli, or rotini)
06 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth (720 ml)
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Dairy (optional)

08 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 0.9 oz)

→ Seasonings

09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
10 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
11 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add diced chicken and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until lightly browned but not fully cooked.
02 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for 2 minutes until the onion softens.
03 - Stir in pasta, chicken broth, dried Italian herbs, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and black pepper. Bring mixture to a boil.
04 - Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes. Stir occasionally until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
05 - Stir in fresh spinach and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until wilted.
06 - Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan cheese if desired and adjust seasoning to taste. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot, which means less cleanup and more time to sit down and actually eat with your family.
  • The spinach sneaks in so seamlessly that even picky eaters barely notice they're getting a full serving of greens.
  • It tastes like comfort food but leaves you feeling light and energized instead of weighed down.
02 -
  • Don't skip stirring the pasta occasionally while it simmers or it will stick to the bottom and you'll end up with a crusty mess instead of a creamy dinner.
  • If your pasta isn't quite tender when the liquid runs low, just add a splash more broth or water and give it another minute or two.
03 -
  • Use a pot that's wide enough to let the pasta spread out in a single layer so it cooks evenly and doesn't clump together.
  • If you're using rotisserie chicken instead of raw, add it at the very end with the spinach so it just warms through without drying out.
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