Description
This Cheesy Spinach Dip Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, fresh spinach, and a rich cheese sauce tossed with perfectly cooked penne pasta. Ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner, it features a luscious blend of cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, Parmesan, and mozzarella, delivering a deliciously indulgent meal with a hint of spice from red pepper flakes. Quick to prepare and cooked entirely on the stovetop, this recipe is both convenient and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Dairy and Sauces
- 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
Produce and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 5 oz fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then set both aside.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces, season them with salt and black pepper, and cook for about 6 to 7 minutes until they are golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic and spinach: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Then add the chopped fresh spinach and cook for about 2 minutes until wilted.
- Make the cheese sauce: Reduce 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 is smooth, creamy, and melted together.
- Combine chicken and pasta: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the drained pasta. Toss everything together to coat evenly with the cheese sauce.
- Adjust consistency: If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Garnish and serve: Optionally, garnish with fresh parsley and serve the Cheesy Spinach Dip Chicken Pasta warm.
Notes
- Substitute rotisserie chicken for a quicker preparation option.
- Frozen spinach can be used—just thaw and drain it well before cooking.
- For extra flavor, add a squeeze of lemon juice or a touch of nutmeg to the sauce.
