5.0 from 3 votes
Chicken Florentine Pasta
Chicken Florentine Pasta is a truly tasty pasta dish is deliciously simple. Bonus: it’s packed with nutrition.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
17 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 505 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian-American Fussion
Ingredients
- 16 oz dried penne pasta
- 4 chicken breast pieces about 1 1/2 lbs total
- kosher salt and table salt
- freshly cracked black pepper
- extra virgin olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 5 garlic cloves chopped
- ½ cup crisp white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc
- 9-10 oz bag of fresh baby spinach
- ¼ cup cream
- ½ cup prepared pesto
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of well-salted water. Cook penne until al dente. Drain (don't rinse.) Toss drained penne with some olive oil to prevent sticking. Keep warm.
- While pasta is preparing, make the chicken: Put cling wrap over each piece of chicken on a cutting board. Pound each piece evenly thin (about 1/4 inch thickness.) Sprinkle each chicken piece lightly and evenly with kosher salt and pepper, on both sides. Heat 2 TB of olive oil in a large skillet and brown two of the chicken breasts on both sides over medium high heat. Cook just until chicken is cooked through; about 2-3 minutes per side, depending on how cold and thick the chicken is. Repeat with remaining pieces. Slice chicken breasts into strips and set aside.
- Put chopped onion and garlic into skillet with 2 TB oil. Saute 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Add the white wine and 1/2 tsp table salt. Boil vigorously until liquid is reduced by half, about 2 minutes.
- Add fresh spinach and saute on medium-low, stirring often, just until spinach begins wilting. Turn heat to low. Add cooked chicken, cream, and pesto, stirring to combine and warm up, about 1 min. Remove from heat.
- In a large serving bowl or dish, combine cooked penne with the chicken/spinach mixture. Season with more kosher salt and pepper to taste. Mix in fresh parmesan, reserving some for garnish. Serve immediately.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Wine Pairing Note: This pasta dish is perfect with a crisp, light Sauvignon Blanc
- Source: Chew Out Loud, adapted from Simply Recipes
Nutrition Information
Calories
505kcal
(25%)
Carbohydrates
49g
(16%)
Protein
37g
(74%)
Fat
16g
(25%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
Trans Fat
0.01g
Cholesterol
93mg
(31%)
Sodium
527mg
(22%)
Potassium
791mg
(23%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
3555IU
(71%)
Vitamin C
12mg
(13%)
Calcium
197mg
(20%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 505
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 505kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 49g | 16% |
| Protein | 37g | 74% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 93mg | 31% |
| Sodium | 527mg | 22% |
| Potassium | 791mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 3555IU | 71% |
| Vitamin C | 12mg | 13% |
| Calcium | 197mg | 20% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.