Description
This Cheesy Spinach Dip Chicken Pasta is a creamy, savory dish combining tender chicken, fresh spinach, and a blend of cheeses to create a rich and comforting meal. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it features pasta tossed in a luscious homemade spinach dip-inspired sauce that’s both flavorful and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Chicken
- 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Sauce and Vegetables
- 3 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup reserved pasta water or milk (as needed)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining the pasta. Set the pasta aside.
- Cook the Chicken: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Add chicken to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, around 6–8 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the chopped spinach to the skillet and sauté for 2–3 minutes until wilted. Stir in the cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan, mozzarella, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix continuously until the cheeses melt and the sauce is smooth. Add reserved pasta water or milk gradually to loosen the sauce to your preferred consistency.
- Combine and Heat Through: Return the cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat the pasta and chicken evenly in the cheesy spinach dip sauce. Continue to cook for an additional 2–3 minutes to heat through.
- Serve: Serve the dish warm. Optionally, garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor.
Notes
- Frozen spinach can be used instead of fresh; just thaw and squeeze out excess moisture before adding.
- For a tangy twist, stir in a spoonful of Greek yogurt or a splash of lemon juice into the sauce.
