Description
Cheesy Spinach Dip Chicken Pasta is a creamy, comforting dish featuring tender chicken, fresh spinach, and a rich blend of cheeses all tossed with perfectly cooked penne pasta. This easy stovetop recipe delivers a delicious weeknight dinner that’s both satisfying and flavorful, with a smooth sauce inspired by classic spinach dip.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Chicken
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 5 oz fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Garnish
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and season with salt and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 6 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Spinach: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the chopped fresh spinach and cook until wilted, approximately 2 minutes.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: Lower the heat to low and add the softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, grated Parmesan, shredded mozzarella, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and the cheeses melt completely.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat it with the cheese sauce. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve the cheesy spinach dip chicken pasta warm.
Notes
- You can substitute rotisserie chicken for a quicker preparation.
- Frozen spinach can be used—just thaw and drain it well before adding.
- For extra flavor, try adding a squeeze of lemon juice or a pinch of nutmeg to the sauce.
