Healthy Chicken With Spinach and Pasta

Chicken and Pasta
Cultura/Brett Stevens/Getty Images
  • Total: 35 mins
  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Cook: 20 mins
  • Yield: 4 Portions (4 Servings)
Ratings (22)

By Diana Rattray

Updated 11/01/18

This tasty chicken and pasta dish is made with the addition of spinach, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Serve with a tossed salad for a fabulous everyday meal.

What You'll Need

  • 20 ounces fresh spinach
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 6 ounces dry pasta shells (or other similar pasta)
  • 1 pound chicken breast (boneless halves, grilled, cut into 1-inch cubes)
  • 4 medium cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Dash salt (or to taste)
  • Dash freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated, plus more for serving)

How to Make It

  1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook the spinach in the chicken broth, adding the spinach a little at a time as it wilts. Drain the spinach in a colander, reserving the broth. Press the spinach to squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible.
  2. Cook pasta in a medium saucepan of boiling salted water according to package directions; drain.
  3. Preheat a heavy skillet over medium heat. When the skillet is hot, add the oil and garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, until the garlic is tender but not browned. Add the spinach and nutmeg. Taste and add salt and pepper. Add the grilled chicken chunks to the spinach; stir and add a small amount of the reserved cooking broth. Continue to cook, stirring and turning, until hot, adding broth as necessary.
  1. Add the hot drained pasta shells to the spinach mixture and blend well. 
  2. Sprinkle with the 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese and serve immediately. Pass more Parmesan cheese at the table.
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
577 Calories
21g Fat
50g Carbs
47g Protein
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)