Description
Chicken Spinach Alfredo is a creamy and comforting pasta dish featuring tender chicken breast, fresh spinach, and a rich Alfredo sauce made from heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and flavorful seasonings. Perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner, this recipe comes together in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 1 pound chicken breasts (2-3 pieces)
- 2 cups spinach, washed
- 4 garlic cloves, grated
- 1 onion, peeled and finely diced
Pasta
- 8 ounces pasta
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Ingredients: Thinly slice or dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Peel and finely dice the onion, grate the garlic, and wash the spinach thoroughly.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pot or skillet over medium heat. Add the diced or sliced chicken and cook for several minutes until cooked through and lightly golden on the surface. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. Shred or dice it further into smaller pieces if desired.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pan, add diced onion and grated garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add red pepper flakes and Italian seasoning, stirring and cooking for another minute to release their flavors.
- Make Roux and Sauce: Add butter to the onion mixture and let it melt. Stir in the flour, mixing well to create a paste that coats the onion. Gradually pour in the heavy cream while continuously stirring to avoid lumps. Allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the drained pasta, cooked chicken, and fresh spinach directly into the creamy sauce. Stir everything together until the spinach wilts and all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Finish and Season: Stir in the Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed. Serve warm and enjoy your creamy Chicken Spinach Alfredo.
Notes
- This Chicken Spinach Alfredo dish is perfect for busy weeknights as it comes together quickly in under 15 minutes.
- The addition of spinach adds a nice pop of color and nutrition to the creamy pasta.
- You can use any type of pasta you prefer, though fettuccine or penne work especially well.
- For a spicier kick, adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your taste.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 655 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 543 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 170 mg
