Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta

Name: Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 4 cooked chicken breasts, shredded; 300 g dried penne; 250 g soft cheese; 25 g Parmesan, grated; 75 g baby spinach leaves; 100 g frozen peas; 1 clove garlic, crushed; 2 tsp olive oil; 1 small bunch parsley or basil, chopped

This creamy chicken pasta is a fast, satisfying dinner made with tender shredded chicken, baby spinach, sweet peas, and a silky cheese sauce. It comes together in about 25 minutes, making it a reliable weeknight pasta recipe the whole family will love.

Servings4 Portions

Prep Time10 Mins

Cook Time15 Mins

Difficulty

Easy

Ingredients

cooked chicken breasts, shredded
4
dried penne
300 g
soft cheese
250 g
Parmesan, grated
25 g
baby spinach leaves
75 g
frozen peas
100 g
garlic, crushed
1 clove
olive oil
2 tsp
parsley or basil, chopped
1 small bunch

Step-by-Step Instructions

Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to the package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 100 ml of the pasta water.

While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the crushed garlic and baby spinach, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, until the spinach wilts.

Add the soft cheese to the pan and stir until melted and smooth. Mix in most of the Parmesan, then add the shredded chicken and frozen peas. Pour in a splash of the reserved pasta water, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until everything is hot through.

Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss until evenly coated. Stir in a little more pasta water if the sauce needs loosening. Remove from the heat, then finish with the remaining Parmesan and chopped parsley or basil before serving.

Chef's Tips

If you do not have soft cheese, use cream cheese for a similar result. Reserve enough pasta water to loosen the sauce, as it thickens quickly after the pasta is added. Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days and reheated gently with a splash of water.