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Parmesan Chicken and Spinach Pasta

EASY and ready in 20 minutes with comforting pasta, juicy chicken, a hint of lemon, and the PERFECT amount of Parmesan!! Great for busy weeknights and the extra is good for meal prepping!! 

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 200 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 pound penne pasta cooking according to package directions, drained, and set aside
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil or as needed; divided
  • 1 small sweet Vidalia onion diced small
  • 1.25 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 + teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
  • 1 + teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
  • 4 to 5 cloves garlic finely minced or pressed
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 3 ounces fresh baby spinach or more if desired
  • ⅓ cup shredded Parmesan cheese or more if desired

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. To a large pot, cook the pasta according to package directions, drain; set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, to a very large separate deep-sided skillet or pot, add about 2-3 tablespoons olive oil, the onion, and saute over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes, or just until onion begins to soften; stir intermittently.
  3. Add the chicken, salt, pepper, and saute for about 5 minutes, or until the chicken is done and cooked through; stir and flip intermittently to ensure even cooking.
  4. Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant; stir nearly continuously.
  5. Add the lemon juice and stir to combine.
  6. Turn off the heat, add the cooked pasta, spinach, and stir very well to combine. As needed, add additional olive oil so the mixture tosses easily.
  7. Taste the dish and if needed add additional salt and pepper. I added about 2 teaspoons total of salt and about 1 1/2 teaspoons of pepper. You're flavoring a very large quantity of food and if it tastes at all flat or boring, it probably would benefit from additional salt/pepper.
  8. Evenly sprinkle the Parmesan over the top and serve. If you prefer a cheesier dish, stir the Parmesan into the pasta, and add additional to be sprinkled over the top. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Recipe will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months, noting that although the color of the spinach will oxidize as time passes (especially if frozen), it does not affect the taste.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Calories 200kcal (10%) Carbohydrates 15g (5%) Protein 18g (36%) Fat 7g (11%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 5g Cholesterol 42mg (14%) Sodium 258mg (11%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 2g (4%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 200

% Daily Value*

Serving 1
Calories 200kcal 10%
Carbohydrates 15g 5%
Protein 18g 36%
Fat 7g 11%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5g 29%
Cholesterol 42mg 14%
Sodium 258mg 11%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 2g 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.