Chicken with Pasta and Greens

A comforting weeknight meal featuring pan-seared chicken breast and quick-cooking pasta tossed with vibrant spinach in a garlic and butter sauce.
- Prep: 10 min
- Cook: 18 min
- Total: 28 min
- Servings: 2
- Cuisine: Italian
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: $4.80/serving
Dietary
- Nut-Free
- Soy-Free
- Egg-Free
- Low-Sugar
- High-Protein
Tags
- comfort food
- healthy
- quick
- sauté
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 ounce quick-cooking pasta
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 clove garlic (minced)
- 0.25 cup chicken broth
- 5 ounce fresh spinach
- 2 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Pat dry the chicken breasts and season with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Remove from skillet, tent with foil, and let rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- While chicken cooks, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add 6 ounces of quick-cooking pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- In the same skillet (no need to clean), melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add 2 minced cloves of garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in 1/4 cup of chicken broth and the reserved pasta water. Add 5 ounces of fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
- Add the drained pasta and sliced chicken to the skillet, tossing to combine. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
A pinch of red pepper flakes can be added with the garlic for a subtle kick. Fresh basil would also be a lovely garnish.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 485
- Protein: 44.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45.9 g
- Fat: 15.8 g
- Fiber: 6.1 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Saturated Fat: 5.8 g
- Sugar: 2.7 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg