Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Parmesan & Lemon

This single-pan chicken pasta brings together tender chicken breast and sautéed spinach in a flavorful, garlic-infused, and lemon-kissed dish. I lovingly refer to it as "Mom's Skillet Pasta," a recipe cherished by my family—once named "Devon's Favorite Pasta" by her. Crafted more than a decade ago during our collaborative cooking sessions, this quick and fuss-free weeknight dinner was jotted down on a small recipe card. It has remained a staple in my weekly dinners, offering a simple yet beloved meal that satisfies the entire family's palate.

Nutrition Notes

Which Chicken Cut is Healthier: Breast or Thighs?

Both chicken breast and thighs are nutritious choices. Opting for chicken breast reduces the fat content in your dish, while removing the skin and trimming the fat from thighs also helps lower their fat content.

Is Whole-Wheat Pasta Necessary?

Whole-wheat pasta provides more nutrients like vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants compared to pasta made from refined white flour. To ease into whole-wheat pasta, try using a mix of whole-wheat and regular pasta in this recipe; this way, you benefit from the nutrition without a drastic change in taste.

Expert Tips for Your Kitchen Experiment:

Can I Make This Gluten-Free?

Certainly! Gluten-free pasta is a great alternative for those with sensitivities. If not, using whole-wheat pasta enhances the dish's fiber content without compromising flavor. While we suggest penne, any pasta shape works well.

Substitute for White Wine?

Swap out the white wine for an equal amount of low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth to maintain the dish's depth of flavor.

Baby Spinach vs. Regular Spinach?

Absolutely! Baby spinach works perfectly in this recipe. Its smaller size eliminates the need for chopping, simplifying your cooking process.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces of either gluten-free penne pasta or whole-wheat penne pasta

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, trimmed if needed, and sliced into bite-size pieces

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ cup dry white wine

• Juice and zest of 1 lemon

• 10 cups chopped fresh spinach

• 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Steps to Make It

01. Prepare the pasta as per the instructions on the package, then strain and keep it aside.

02.  While the pasta cooks, warm oil in a spacious, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, salt, and pepper, stirring occasionally, and cook until it's just done, about 5 to 7 minutes.

03.  Toss in the garlic and cook, stirring, until its fragrance blooms, for approximately 1 minute. Then, add the wine, lemon juice, and zest, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.

04.  Take the skillet off the heat. Combine the spinach and cooked pasta, stirring them in. Cover the skillet and allow it to sit until the spinach gently wilts.

05.  Separate onto 4 plates and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of Parmesan on each serving.