Creamy Spinach & Chicken Penne: A Flavorful Italian Delight
A delightful Italian meal combining succulent chicken, crisp pancetta, and a creamy spinach sauce tossed with penne pasta to create a mouthwatering experience.
Prep
: 10
Total
: 25 minutes
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Pancetta
- 6 oz pancetta diced
Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 3 cups baby spinach roughly chopped
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated, plus more for serving
Spices for Chicken
- 1.5 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- In a bowl, mix Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Season chicken pieces with this mix.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until browned and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes. Remove from skillet.
- In the same skillet, add butter and pancetta. Cook until pancetta is crispy, about 4 minutes.
- Add onion and cook until soft. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream, bring to a simmer, and add spinach. Cook until spinach is wilted.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. Add chicken back to the skillet. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions and toss with the sauce. Serve with extra grated Parmesan.
Notes
For best results, garnish with fresh basil and enjoy!