Healthy Chicken With Spinach and Pasta

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Diana Rattray
Updated 06/17/19
Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta

The Spruce 
  • Total: 35 mins
  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Cook: 20 mins
  • Yield: 4 Portions (4 Servings)
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
577 Calories
21g Fat
50g Carbs
47g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 Portions (4 Servings)
Amount per serving
Calories 577
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 21g 27%
Saturated Fat 7g 33%
Cholesterol 104mg 35%
Sodium 797mg 35%
Total Carbohydrate 50g 18%
Dietary Fiber 5g 19%
Protein 47g
Calcium 374mg 29%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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.

Ingredients

  • 20 ounces fresh spinach
  • 1 cup chicken broth (plus more, as needed)
  • 6 ounces dry pasta shells (or other similar pasta)
  • 1 pound chicken breast (boneless halves, grilled, cut into 1-inch cubes)
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 4 medium cloves garlic (minced)
  • 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)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe ingredients

  2. 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.

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe
     The Spruce

  3. Drain the spinach in a colander, reserving the broth. Press the spinach to squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible.

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe
     The Spruce

  4. Cook pasta in a medium saucepan of boiling salted water according to package directions. 

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe
     The Spruce

  5. Using a colander, drain the pasta.

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe
     The Spruce

  6. 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.

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe
     The Spruce

  7. Add the spinach and nutmeg. Taste and add salt and pepper.

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe
    The Spruce 

  8. Add the grilled chicken chunks to the spinach and combine.

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe
    The Spruce 

  9. Stir and add a small amount of the reserved cooking broth. Continue to cook, stirring and turning, until hot, adding broth as necessary.

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe
     The Spruce

  10. Add the hot drained pasta shells to the spinach mixture and blend well. 

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe
    The Spruce 

  11. Sprinkle with the 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese and serve immediately. Pass more Parmesan cheese at the table.

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe
    The Spruce 

  12. Enjoy!

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe
     The Spruce