Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta

Succulent chicken breast and pasta mingle in a mild, creamy garlic sauce, enriched with fresh spinach and vibrant cherry tomatoes, creating a satisfying and calorie-conscious meal that’s ready in one skillet.

• Prep: 20 min
• Cook: 30 min
• Total: 50 min
• Servings: 8
• Cuisine: Italian
• Difficulty: Easy
• Cost: $2.86/serving

Dietary

• Nut-Free
• Soy-Free
• High-Protein

Tags

• one-pot
• sauté
• quick
• healthy
• savory
• rich

Ingredients

• 2 pound chicken breast (boneless, skinless)
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 yellow onion (medium, diced)
• 4 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 2 cup chicken broth
• 8 ounce cream cheese (light, softened)
• 12 ounce penne pasta
• 5 ounce fresh spinach
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 4 slice whole wheat bread
• 1 tablespoon butter (melted)
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

1. Cut chicken breast into 1-inch pieces. Season with 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add diced yellow onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cherry tomatoes, cook for another 3 minutes until tomatoes start to burst.
4. Stir in chicken broth, softened light cream cheese, and penne pasta. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir in fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. If desired, stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
6. While pasta cooks, preheat oven broiler. Mix melted butter with 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Brush onto whole wheat bread slices. Broil for 1-2 minutes until lightly toasted.
7. Serve creamy garlic chicken pasta with garlic-toasted whole wheat bread.

Nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: 501
• Protein: 36.8 g
• Carbohydrates: 46.5 g
• Fat: 19.3 g
• Fiber: 6.2 g
• Sodium: 810 mg
• Saturated Fat: 7.9 g
• Sugar: 4.6 g
• Cholesterol: 114 mg