Ingredients
Pasta
- 10 ounces dry pasta (any kind)
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomatoes, diced
- 2 cups spinach, chopped (optional)
- 2 cups heavy cream (16 oz)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded or grated
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep Pasta: Boil water in a large pot and cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Season Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large heavy-duty pan over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken breasts for about 5 minutes per side or until fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic, Tomato & Spinach: In the same pan, add butter and minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then add the diced tomatoes and chopped spinach, cooking for 2-3 minutes until tomatoes soften and spinach wilts.
- Make Cream Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Whisk continuously until the mixture is fully incorporated, creamy, and heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine & Serve: Slice or cube the cooked chicken and add back into the pan with the sauce. Stir in the drained pasta and toss everything together until well combined. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use any pasta shape you prefer, such as penne, fettuccine, or rotini.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Adding spinach is optional but adds a nice color and nutritional boost.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy.
- This dish pairs well with crusty bread or a simple side salad.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American