Description

Creamy Chicken and Spinach Pasta with Broccoli is a comforting and nutritious dish that combines tender chicken breast, fresh spinach, and crunchy broccoli in a rich, velvety cream sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers a perfect balance of protein, greens, and carbs, ideal for busy weeknights or family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins

2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced

Vegetables

3 cups fresh spinach, washed and chopped
2 cups broccoli florets
2 cloves garlic, minced

Pasta

8 ounces pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni)

Dairy & Fats

1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter

Seasonings & Optional

Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional: lemon zest from 1 lemon

Instructions

Prepare the Ingredients: Slice chicken breast into thin strips. Wash and chop spinach. Cut broccoli into small florets. Mince garlic finely. Boil pasta until al dente, drain, and save about 1/4 cup of pasta water. Set pasta aside.
Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken strips, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and keep warm.
Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add broccoli florets and cook for 3–4 minutes until slightly softened but still crisp. Stir in fresh spinach and cook until wilted.
Make the Creamy Sauce: Reduce heat to low and pour in heavy cream, stirring constantly. Let the cream simmer gently until it thickens slightly. Add freshly grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Season with salt, pepper, and optional lemon zest for brightness.
Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Sauce: Return cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet. Toss everything well to coat evenly with the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it for a silky finish. Serve immediately.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for better melting and richer flavor.
Do not overcook broccoli; keep it slightly crisp for texture contrast.
Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if necessary.
Slice chicken thinly to ensure quick cooking and better flavor absorption.
Simmer the sauce gently on low heat to prevent cream curdling.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American/Italian Inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 480 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 450 mg
Fat: 25 g
Saturated Fat: 14 g
Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 38 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 35 g
Cholesterol: 110 mg

Keywords: chicken pasta, creamy pasta, spinach pasta, broccoli pasta, quick dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food