Description
This One-Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta Dinner is a flavorful, comforting meal that combines tender chicken, creamy sauce, and hearty pasta all cooked in a single pot for easy cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish features a savory blend of garlic, cherry tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
Dairy
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Produce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, chopped
Pantry
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 12 oz pasta (penne or rotini recommended)
Instructions
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat. Season the cubed chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add the chicken to the pot and cook until browned and cooked through, then remove the chicken and set it aside.
- Sauté garlic and tomatoes: In the same pot, add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook until they blister slightly, releasing their juices.
- Add liquids and bring to simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, using a spoon to scrape up and incorporate any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook pasta: Stir in the pasta, ensuring it is submerged in the liquid. Cover the pot and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Finish the dish: Add the cooked chicken back into the pot along with the chopped spinach or kale. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve warm.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- You can use any short pasta like penne, rotini, or fusilli.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes when sautéing garlic.
- Make sure to stir occasionally when cooking pasta to prevent it from sticking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
