Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces penne pasta, uncooked
- 1 pound chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
- olive oil, for cooking
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, chopped
- 4 cups chicken broth, regular strength
- 5 ounces baby spinach leaves, fresh
- ⅔ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup pesto, prepared, store-bought or homemade
- ⅔ cup freshly grated parmesan, plus extra for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring generously salted water to a boil. Cook the penne until al dente, drain, and toss with 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil. Keep warm.
- Cover each chicken breast with cling wrap and pound to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch. Season both sides with kosher salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil on medium-high. Cook chicken breasts until browned and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side. Slice chicken and keep warm.
- Add chopped onion and garlic to the skillet with 2 tablespoons of oil. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and half a teaspoon of kosher salt. Boil until reduced by half, about 2 minutes.
- Lower the heat and stir in the cream and pesto, warming until combined, about 1 minute. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as necessary.
- Mix in the spinach over low heat until just wilted. Remove from heat.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the spinach and pesto mixture. Allow to sit for 5 minutes if you prefer a thicker sauce.
- Stir in grated parmesan, reserving some for garnish. Serve topped with chicken immediately.
Notes
Use freshly grated parmesan for the best flavor.
Feel free to add more vegetables such as bell peppers or mushrooms for added nutrition.
If you prefer a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.