Description
Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta is a delightful dish that combines tender chicken, rich ricotta, and fresh spinach, all enveloped in a velvety sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe transforms everyday ingredients into a comforting meal that’s sure to impress family and friends. With its quick prep time and crowd-pleasing flavor, it’s no wonder this pasta has become a favorite in many households.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare pasta by boiling salted water in a large pot. Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper, cooking for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken from skillet.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet during the last minute of cooking the chicken. Stir in fresh spinach until wilted.
- Lower heat and mix in ricotta cheese along with some reserved pasta water for a creamy texture.
- Toss cooked pasta into the skillet with the sauce, stirring until evenly coated.
- Slice chicken and serve over the pasta, garnished with grated Parmesan.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 300g)
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Feel free to add vegetables like sun-dried tomatoes or zucchini for extra flavor. For lighter options, substitute low-fat ricotta or increase vegetable portions.