Description
This luxurious, protein-packed pasta dish is a perfect weeknight solution that comes together in just thirty minutes. By using fresh ricotta cheese, we achieve a velvety, indulgent sauce that coats every piece of penne without the need for heavy cream. Tender, golden-brown chicken breast and fresh spinach add nutritional depth, making this an elegant, restaurant-quality meal that is simple enough for even a novice cook to master. Enjoy this wholesome, comforting Italian-inspired staple that works beautifully for any seasonal family dinner.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, diced
1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
12 oz penne pasta
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
0.5 cup chicken broth
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook penne pasta until al dente.
Reserve one cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add seasoned chicken cubes and sauté until golden brown and cooked through.
Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
Lower the heat to medium in the same skillet and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
Stir in the ricotta cheese and chicken broth, heating until smooth.
Add the cooked chicken and fresh spinach to the skillet, stirring until spinach wilts.
Fold in the cooked pasta, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired sauce consistency.
Top with Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
Use gluten-free pasta if needed for dietary requirements. The reserved pasta water is key to adjusting the thickness of the ricotta sauce. This dish reheats well, making it excellent for next-day lunches.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Stovetop Sauté
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg