Description
Tomato Spinach Chicken Pasta is the kind of easy dinner that looks beautiful in the bowl and tastes even better than it looks. Juicy chicken, tender penne, rich tomato sauce, fresh spinach, and a finish of Parmesan come together in a quick breakfast-for-dinner style comfort meal that also works as an easy dinner, family meal, meal prep lunch, and one of my favorite pasta dinner ideas. This easy recipe is packed with cozy Italian-inspired flavor, simple ingredients, and weeknight-friendly appeal, making it one of those dependable food ideas I keep coming back to.
Ingredients
12 ounces penne pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
4 cups fresh spinach
1/2 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
2. Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 5 to 7 minutes until golden and cooked through, then transfer to a plate.
4. In the same skillet, add the onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
5. Add the cherry tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 6 to 8 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Stir in the spinach and cook until wilted.
7. Pour in the heavy cream and stir until the sauce is smooth.
8. Return the chicken to the skillet and add the cooked pasta.
9. Toss in the Parmesan and basil. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
10. Serve hot with extra Parmesan on top.
Notes
Do not overcook the pasta because it will continue to absorb sauce once everything is combined.
Add the spinach at the very end so it stays bright and tender instead of turning dull and overly soft.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: tomato spinach chicken pasta, chicken pasta, easy dinner, pasta dinner ideas, weeknight pasta, creamy tomato chicken pasta