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Creamy Spinach Alfredo Pasta with Chicken

Close-up of a generous serving of Creamy Spinach Alfredo Pasta with Chicken tossed in a rich white sauce on a white plate.
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A recipe for rich, homemade Alfredo sauce combined with tender chicken and fresh spinach served over pasta.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fettuccine pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 5 ounces fresh spinach
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water

Instructions

  1. Cook the fettuccine according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/4 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
  5. Pour in the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Let it simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until it slightly thickens.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Gradually whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Stir in the nutmeg.
  7. Add the fresh spinach to the sauce, stirring until it wilts completely.
  8. Return the cooked chicken and the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together to coat evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
  9. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • Use fettuccine or penne pasta; these shapes hold the thick Alfredo sauce well.
  • For a vegetarian option, omit the chicken and add 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms when sautéing the garlic.
  • To make the sauce thicker without clumping, remove the skillet from the heat before adding the Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonswirl.com/creamy-spinach-alfredo-pasta-with-chicken/