Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz Penne or Fettuccine pasta
- 1.5 lbs Boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup Sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil), drained and chopped
- 2 cups Fresh baby spinach
- 1.5 cups Heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Reserve about half a cup of the pasta water, then drama the rest and set the pasta aside.
- Season and Sear the Chicken: Season the chicken strips with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter.
- Simmer the Cream Sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet. Bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes until the cheese has melted and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Wilt the Spinach: Add the fresh baby spinach to the sauce. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until the spinach has wilted. The heat from the sauce will cook the spinach perfectly without making it soggy.
- Combine and Serve: Add the cooked chicken and the drained pasta back into the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is thoroughly coated in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra parmesan before serving.
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Diet: Mediterranean-inspired