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Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan

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This Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan is a quick, flavorful, and nourishing one-pan dinner. With tender chicken, fresh spinach, bright lemon, and a buttery Parmesan sauce, it’s perfect for busy weeknights and family meals.

  • Author: Tina
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Skillet
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
  • Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

8 ounces gluten-free penne pasta or whole-wheat penne pasta

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces

¾ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon ground pepper

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)

2 teaspoons lemon zest

¼ cup lemon juice

⅓ cup unsalted butter, cubed

4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided

10 cups chopped fresh spinach

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of the cooking water, then drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Add chicken, salt, and pepper. Cook 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
  3. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in wine, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Simmer, then add butter and 1 tablespoon Parmesan. Stir constantly until the sauce emulsifies, about 2 minutes.
  4. Add ¼–½ cup reserved pasta water to thicken. Stir in pasta and spinach. Cook 5 minutes, until spinach wilts and pasta is heated through.
  5. Divide among 4 plates and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Swap chicken for shrimp for a seafood version.
  • Add mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, or zucchini for extra veggies.
  • Freshly grated Parmesan melts best into the sauce.
  • For a creamy version, add a splash of cream or ricotta.
  • Reheat gently with broth or water to refresh the sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cheftinaskitchen.com/chicken-spinach-skillet-pasta-with-lemon-parmesan/