Chicken With Spinach and Pasta

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 08/29/21
Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta

The Spruce

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 35 mins
Servings: 4 servings

If you and your family like chicken and pasta, you'll never run out of the need for recipes that feature both ingredients. Consider adding this quick dish to your weeknight dinner repertoire. It comes together quickly.

This tasty chicken and pasta dish is made with the addition of spinach, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. The recipe calls for cubed boneless chicken breasts, but feel free to use boneless thighs instead if you prefer. Use a shell-shaped pasta or elbow macaroni, but any small pasta shape would do. Serve with a simple green tossed salad for a fabulous everyday meal.

Ingredients

  • 20 ounces fresh spinach

  • 1 cup chicken broth, more as needed

  • 6 ounces shell pasta, or similar

  • 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil

  • 4 medium cloves garlic, minced

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 1 dash kosher salt, or to taste

  • 1 dash freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

  • 1 pound grilled boneless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes

  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, more for serving

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe ingredients
    The Spruce 

  2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook the spinach in the chicken broth, adding the spinach a little at a time as it wilts.

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe
    The Spruce

  3. Drain the spinach in a colander, reserving the broth. Press the spinach to squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible.

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe
    The Spruce

  4. Cook pasta in a medium saucepan of boiling salted water according to package directions.

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe
    The Spruce

  5. Using a colander, drain the pasta.

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe
    The Spruce

  6. Preheat a heavy skillet over medium heat. When the skillet is hot, add the oil and garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, until the garlic is tender, but not browned.

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe
    The Spruce

  7. Add the spinach and nutmeg. Taste and add salt and pepper.

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe
    The Spruce

  8. Add the grilled chicken chunks to the spinach and combine.

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe
    The Spruce

  9. Stir and add a small amount of the reserved cooking broth. Continue to cook, stirring and turning, until hot, adding broth as necessary.

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe
    The Spruce

  10. Add the hot drained pasta shells to the spinach mixture and blend well.

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe
    The Spruce

  11. Sprinkle with the 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese and serve immediately. Pass more Parmesan cheese at the table.

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe
    The Spruce

  12. Enjoy.

    Grilled Chicken With Spinach and Pasta recipe
    The Spruce

Tips

  • Add a squeeze of lemon juice to counteract the bitterness of the spinach and add some brightness to the dish.
  • Use water if you don't have chicken broth.

Variations

  • Feel free to use another green in this dish, such as arugula or even chopped chard.
  • You could also use shrimp instead of chicken.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
369 Calories
11g Fat
21g Carbs
46g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 369
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11g 14%
Saturated Fat 4g 18%
Cholesterol 108mg 36%
Sodium 693mg 30%
Total Carbohydrate 21g 8%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 46g
Vitamin C 41mg 204%
Calcium 276mg 21%
Iron 6mg 32%
Potassium 1147mg 24%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)