Description
This Tomato Spinach Chicken Pasta is the kind of easy dinner that feels both comforting and fresh at the same time. Juicy chicken, tender pasta, and vibrant spinach are coated in a rich tomato sauce, creating a perfect balance of flavor and texture. It’s a quick dinner idea, a healthy-ish comfort meal, and one of those easy recipes you’ll keep coming back to when you need reliable food ideas for busy nights.
Ingredients
2 cups penne pasta
2 cups cooked chicken breast
2 cups fresh spinach
2 cups tomato sauce
2 cloves garlic
1 small onion
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion until soft, then add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
4. Pour in the tomato sauce, add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, and let it simmer for 5–10 minutes.
5. Add the spinach and cook until wilted, then return the chicken to the skillet and mix well.
6. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss everything together. Use reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
7. Turn off the heat, stir in Parmesan cheese, adjust seasoning, and serve warm.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and melting texture.
Do not overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
Always reserve pasta water to help create a silky, well-coated sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: quick dinner, easy recipe, chicken pasta, healthy dinner ideas, comfort food