Description
This Chicken Penne Pasta offers a delicious blend of tender chicken, creamy sauce, and fresh spinach. It’s a quick and satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces penne pasta (cooked according to package instructions)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- dash freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (pounded thin)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup half and half
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan (plus more for topping)
- 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- dash freshly ground black pepper
- 6 ounces fresh baby spinach (roughly 1 cup)
- 2 vine-ripened tomatoes (diced)
- fresh parsley (for topping)
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions. Drain while al dente.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning. Cook the chicken for about 4 minutes on each side until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it cool, then slice it.
- Add the remaining olive oil to the skillet, then add the garlic and onion. Sauté until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Whisk in the flour, then gradually add the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Slowly mix in the half and half and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted. Add the remaining Italian seasoning and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix in the spinach and allow it to wilt before stirring in the cooked penne and sliced chicken.
- Serve topped with more Parmesan, fresh tomatoes, and parsley.
Notes
For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes while cooking the chicken.
You can substitute the chicken with shrimp for a different flavor.
This dish can be easily made gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 522
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 741mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 128mg