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- 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - Salt and pepper to taste - 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta - 3 cups chicken broth - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (optional) - Fresh parsley for garnish I love using fresh ingredients for this dish. The olive oil gives a great base. Chicken breasts add protein and flavor. Minced garlic brings a strong, lovely aroma. Italian seasoning makes this dish sing. Penne pasta cooks well and absorbs all the tasty broth. Chicken broth is key for flavor. Heavy cream creates a rich sauce. Grated Parmesan cheese adds depth. Spinach adds color and nutrients. If you like, add sun-dried tomatoes for a sweet touch. Fresh parsley gives a nice finish. Gather these ingredients, and you are ready to cook a delicious meal! {{ingredient_image_1}} First, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces. Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes. The chicken should turn golden brown. Make sure to stir it often for even cooking. Next, add 4 cloves of minced garlic to the pot. Sauté the garlic for about one minute until it smells amazing. This step adds depth to your dish and makes it extra tasty. Now, pour in 3 cups of chicken broth and bring it to a simmer. Add 8 ounces of uncooked penne pasta to the pot. Stir well to ensure the pasta is fully submerged in the broth. Cover the pot and cook for about 10 to 12 minutes. The pasta should be tender and absorb most of the broth. Stir occasionally to keep it from sticking. Once the pasta is cooked, lower the heat. Mix in 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy. This step is key for that rich and comforting flavor. Gently fold in 1 cup of roughly chopped fresh spinach. If you like, you can also add 1/2 cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the spinach wilts. Taste your dish and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add more salt or pepper to your liking. To prevent sticking, stir the pasta often as it cooks. This keeps it loose and helps it absorb the flavors. Timing is key for perfect pasta texture. Cook it until it's al dente, meaning it should still have a slight bite. This usually takes about 10-12 minutes. If you want a lighter dish, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. You can also try plain yogurt for a tangy twist. For pasta shapes, penne works great, but you can use rotini or farfalle too. Each shape holds the sauce well and adds variety. To complement this meal, serve a simple salad or garlic bread. A fresh green salad adds crunch. For garnishing, sprinkle fresh parsley on top. You can also add extra grated Parmesan for a richer taste. This makes the dish look great too! Pro Tips Cook Chicken to Perfection: Ensure your chicken pieces are cut uniformly for even cooking. This helps them brown nicely and cook through at the same time. Don't Skip the Garlic: Sauté the garlic until it's just fragrant to avoid bitterness. Adding it too early can lead to burnt flavors. Stir Occasionally: Stir the pasta occasionally while cooking to prevent it from sticking together and ensure it absorbs all the flavors from the broth. Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh spinach and high-quality Parmesan cheese can elevate the dish significantly, providing better flavor and texture. {{image_2}} You can switch up the protein in this dish easily. Shrimp adds a nice twist. Just sauté it until pink and then follow the same steps. Sausage is another great choice. Slice it up and brown it before adding garlic. If you want a vegetarian option, use firm tofu. Cut the tofu into cubes and pan-fry until golden. This will give you a tasty and hearty meal. To boost flavor, add herbs like thyme or basil. You can also use spices like red pepper flakes for heat. Try mixing in different cheeses. A creamy goat cheese or tangy feta can change the whole dish. Experimenting with flavors keeps the meal exciting. Fresh veggies are a great way to make this dish seasonal. In spring, add asparagus or peas. In summer, try zucchini or bell peppers. For fall, roasted butternut squash works well. During the holidays, consider adding cranberries or nuts for a festive touch. These fresh ingredients can brighten up your pasta and make it special for any occasion. To keep your One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta fresh, store it in an airtight container. Before sealing, let the pasta cool to room temperature. This helps avoid moisture build-up. The pasta lasts about 3-5 days in the fridge. Always check for any off smells before eating. You can freeze this dish for later use. First, let it cool completely. Then, scoop out servings into freezer-safe containers. Leave some space at the top for expansion. This pasta can last about 2-3 months in the freezer. I recommend using glass containers or heavy-duty freezer bags to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen pasta, the best way to reheat it is on the stove. Add a little water or broth to the pot. Heat it gently over medium heat. Stir often to keep it moist. If you microwave, use a microwave-safe dish and cover it to trap steam. This prevents your dish from drying out. Enjoy your creamy pasta just as good as the first time! Yes, you can prep some parts ahead. Cook the chicken and store it in the fridge. You can also chop the garlic and spinach in advance. Just keep the pasta and sauce separate until you’re ready to eat. This way, the pasta stays fresh and does not get mushy. This recipe is not gluten-free as it uses penne pasta. However, you can use gluten-free pasta instead. Many brands offer tasty gluten-free options. Just cook it as directed on the package. Adjust the cooking time to ensure it stays firm and not mushy. Absolutely! You can add a variety of veggies. Consider bell peppers, broccoli, or zucchini. Just chop them small and toss them in with the chicken. This adds color and nutrients. You can even use frozen veggies for convenience. This blog post covers a delicious pasta dish perfect for any meal. We discussed key ingredients like chicken, garlic, and spinach. I shared step-by-step cooking instructions to guide you through each phase easily. You learned tips on cooking, ingredient swaps, and serving suggestions to enhance your meal. Plus, I offered creative variations and storage advice. Remember, cooking should be fun! Experiment and make this dish your own. Enjoy making it again and again!

One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

A creamy and flavorful one-pot pasta dish featuring chicken, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 2 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (optional)
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
  • Add the chicken pieces and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and no longer pink in the center. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
  • Add the minced garlic to the pot and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
  • Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
  • Add the uncooked penne pasta to the pot. Stir well to ensure the pasta is submerged in the broth. Cover and cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the broth. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  • Once cooked, lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
  • Gently fold in the fresh spinach and sun-dried tomatoes (if using). Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the spinach is wilted.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or pepper as needed.
  • Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Add sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor if desired.
Keyword chicken, garlic, one-pot, Parmesan, pasta