Introduction
The dreaded “what’s for dinner?” question on a busy weeknight used to stress me out. Then I discovered the magic of one-pan pastas. This creamy chicken and spinach version is a complete, satisfying, and delicious meal, and the best part is that you only have one pan to wash at the end!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A True One-Pan Meal: The pasta cooks right in the sauce!
- Ready in 30 Minutes: The perfect, all-in-one weeknight dinner.
- Creamy & Delicious: A light, creamy tomato sauce that’s full of flavor.
- A Complete Meal: You get your protein, carbs, and veggies all in one dish.
- Kid-Approved: A family-friendly flavor that everyone loves.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 3 cups chicken broth, low-sodium
- 12 oz penne or rotini pasta (uncooked)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 large handfuls of fresh spinach
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Season the chicken cubes with salt and pepper. Add them to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, chicken broth, uncooked pasta, oregano, and basil. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the skillet and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Uncover the skillet and stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan, and the cooked chicken (with any juices).
- Add the fresh spinach and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes, until the spinach has wilted into the pasta.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately.
Tips
It’s important to stir the pasta a few times while it simmers to make sure it cooks evenly and doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.