Description
This Cheesy Spinach Dip Chicken Pasta is a creamy, indulgent dish that combines tender chicken, sautéed spinach, and a cheesy sauce, all tossed with your favorite pasta. It’s like a cheesy spinach dip in pasta form, offering rich flavors and comforting textures—perfect for a family dinner or cozy meal!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped (or 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 300g (about 10 oz) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your choice)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about ½ cup of pasta water.
- Cook the Chicken:
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper, and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Cheesy Spinach Sauce:
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the fresh spinach and cook until wilted (about 2-3 minutes). If using frozen spinach, add it to the pan and cook for another 1-2 minutes to heat through.
- Lower the heat and add the cream cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Add the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, Dijon mustard (if using), garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until the sauce is creamy and well combined.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta:
- Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet and stir to coat in the cheesy spinach sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together until the pasta is well coated with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Serve:
- Garnish the dish with chopped fresh parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen spinach in this recipe. If using frozen spinach, make sure to squeeze out any excess moisture before adding it to the skillet.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, though the sauce may not be as rich.
- If you want to add extra veggies, sauté some mushrooms or bell peppers with the garlic and spinach for more flavor and color.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 44g
- Cholesterol: 150mg