Description
Chicken Florentine Pasta is a delicious and creamy Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken breast, baby spinach, and cherry tomatoes tossed in a rich parmesan cream sauce with perfectly cooked penne pasta. This easy-to-make recipe combines fresh ingredients and simple seasonings for a flavorful meal that can be prepared in under 30 minutes, ideal for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Sauce & Vegetables
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook the chicken for 6-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook until they soften, about 2-3 minutes.
- Combine cream and cheese: Pour in the heavy cream, chicken broth, and grated parmesan cheese into the skillet. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens slightly, forming a creamy base. Add the red pepper flakes if you want a bit of extra heat.
- Finish the dish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the baby spinach. Stir until the spinach wilts and is incorporated into the sauce. Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until evenly coated with the sauce.
- Serve: Garnish with extra parmesan cheese if desired, and serve the Chicken Florentine Pasta warm for a comforting and flavorful meal.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for best flavor and smooth melting.
- Red pepper flakes are optional; omit if you prefer no heat or add more for increased spiciness.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta; al dente texture enhances the dish.
- You can add mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes to expand the flavor profile if desired.
