Creamy Chicken Feta Spinach Pasta Recipe for Family Dinners

Weeknight dinners demand quick, delicious solutions that satisfy hungry appetites with minimal effort.

This chicken feta spinach pasta emerges as a savory rescue from mundane meal routines.

Tender chicken pieces, creamy feta, and vibrant spinach dance together in a harmonious blend of Mediterranean-inspired flavors.

Packed with protein and nutrients, the dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy households.

Colorful and aromatic, each forkful promises a delightful combination of textures and tastes.

The recipe balances simplicity with gourmet flair, turning an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration.

Get ready to elevate your dinner game with this irresistible pasta that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

Chicken Feta Spinach Pasta Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts: Select tender, fresh cuts for maximum flavor and juiciness.
• Pasta: Choose short shapes like penne or rotini that capture sauce and ingredients perfectly.

• Olive Oil: Provides smooth, rich base for cooking chicken and creating silky sauce.
• Dried Oregano: Adds Mediterranean herbal warmth and depth to the dish.
• Garlic Powder: Delivers instant aromatic punch without chopping fresh garlic.
• Chicken Broth: Creates light, savory liquid foundation for sauce.
• Dijon Mustard: Introduces tangy complexity and helps emulsify sauce.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens overall flavor and adds fresh citrus note.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional spicy kick for heat lovers.

• Little Tomatoes: Select ripe, vibrant cherry or grape varieties for sweet burst.
• Baby Spinach: Pick crisp, bright green leaves for nutritious, tender green component.
• Feta Cheese: Choose creamy, herb-infused version for authentic Mediterranean taste.
• Parmesan Cheese: Optional finishing touch for extra savory richness.

Tools for Chicken Feta Spinach Pasta

• Large pot: Perfect for boiling pasta in salted water, ensuring even cooking.
• Skillet: Essential for searing chicken and creating a flavorful sauce with broth and seasonings.
• Cutting board: Needed for prepping ingredients like chicken and tomatoes.
• Chef's knife: Sharp tool for precise ingredient chopping.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients in the skillet.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for accurate seasoning and ingredient portioning.
• Colander: Used for draining pasta after cooking.

How to Make Chicken Feta Spinach Pasta

• Mediterranean Pasta Prep

Start by boiling a pot of water seasoned with salt, creating the perfect backdrop for your pasta. Cook the noodles until they reach that delightful tender-yet-firm stage, just like they do in an Italian kitchen.

• Sizzling Chicken Moment

Heat a skillet with a splash of olive oil, then introduce fragrant herbs and a whisper of garlic. Gently cook chicken pieces until they’re golden and singing with flavor, transforming from pale to a beautiful sun-kissed hue.

• Sauce Symphony

Pour in broth with a hint of tangy mustard and bright lemon juice. Let these ingredients dance together, creating a light, zesty sauce that will make your taste buds tingle with anticipation.

• Tomato Transformation

Tumble fresh tomatoes into the skillet, allowing them to soften and release their sweet juices. Bring the chicken back to join this flavor party, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

• Green and Creamy Finale

Fold in fresh spinach leaves, watching them gracefully wilt into the warm mixture. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese, letting it melt slightly and add a creamy Mediterranean touch. Toss everything with your perfectly cooked pasta and serve immediately.

Optional: Spark some heat with red pepper flakes or a dusting of parmesan for extra excitement.

Additions to Chicken Feta Spinach Pasta

• Smart Swap Options: Replace chicken with shredded rotisserie chicken for faster preparation or use tofu for a vegetarian twist. Grilled salmon works wonderfully as an alternative protein that complements the Mediterranean flavors.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust red pepper flakes according to personal heat preference. Start with a pinch for mild warmth or sprinkle generously for a spicier kick that adds exciting depth to the dish.
• Cheese Lover's Modifications: Experiment with different cheese varieties like crumbled goat cheese or shredded mozzarella. Each cheese brings a unique texture and flavor profile that can transform the entire meal.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare chicken and sauce components separately and store in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently and combine with freshly cooked pasta to maintain optimal taste and texture.
• Pantry Friendly Adaptations: Use frozen spinach if fresh isn't available, ensuring to drain excess moisture. Dried herbs like dried basil or thyme can substitute fresh oregano without compromising the recipe's delicious Mediterranean essence.

Plating Chicken Feta Spinach Pasta

• Fresh Mediterranean Feast: Pair this zesty chicken feta spinach pasta with a crisp greek salad loaded with cucumbers, olives, and red onions for a complete Mediterranean-inspired meal.
• Bright Side Plate: Serve alongside roasted lemon-garlic asparagus or zucchini to enhance the dish's herbal notes and add extra vegetable nutrition to your plate.
• Crowd-Pleaser Garnish: Sprinkle extra crumbled feta, chopped fresh parsley, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil on top for a restaurant-quality presentation that elevates the entire dish's flavor profile.
• Wine & Dine Companion: Complement the pasta's tangy and rich flavors with a chilled glass of crisp white wine like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc, which beautifully balances the dish's Mediterranean essence.

Meal Storage for Chicken Feta Spinach Pasta

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store this delightful chicken feta spinach pasta in an airtight container within the refrigerator, keeping flavors intact for up to 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Quick Reheating Trick: Revive leftovers by adding a splash of chicken broth or water when microwaving, ensuring pasta remains tender and sauce stays creamy without drying out.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Separate chicken and pasta components before freezing to maintain optimal texture. Freeze individual portions in sealed containers for convenient future meals, lasting up to 2 months.
• Prep-Ahead Magic: Chop chicken and vegetables in advance, storing separately in sealed containers. This kitchen hack saves time during busy weeknights, allowing faster meal assembly when hunger strikes.

Creamy Chicken Feta Spinach Pasta Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired chicken feta spinach pasta delivers a symphony of flavors from Greece’s coastal regions. Creamy feta, tender chicken, and fresh spinach combine in a quick weeknight dinner you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 8 oz (226 g) uncooked pasta
• 1.5 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
• 3.5 oz (100 g) feta cheese (cubed and packed in oil and herbs)
• 1 (10.5 oz / 298 g) container little tomatoes (grape, cherry, etc.), halved
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ¼ tsp dried oregano
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ⅓ cup (79 ml) chicken broth
• ½ tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Red pepper flakes (optional)
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional)

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook pasta to al dente perfection according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
2. Chicken Searing: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and cook chicken seasoned with oregano and garlic powder until golden brown and fully cooked, creating a delectable exterior.
3. Pan Deglazing: Remove chicken and utilize the same skillet to create a robust sauce by whisking chicken broth, Dijon mustard, and fresh lemon juice, allowing the mixture to simmer and reduce, capturing the pan’s caramelized essence.
4. Vegetable Integration: Add cherry tomatoes to the simmering sauce, letting them soften and release their natural sweetness, then reintroduce the seared chicken and gently fold in fresh spinach leaves until they wilt elegantly.
5. Final Assembly: Toss the perfectly cooked pasta with the Mediterranean-inspired chicken and vegetable mixture, ensuring each strand is luxuriously coated with the vibrant sauce and sprinkled with feta cheese.
6. Garnish and Serve: Optional enhancement includes sprinkling red pepper flakes and freshly grated parmesan cheese to elevate the dish’s flavor profile and visual appeal.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Ensure water is heavily salted and pasta reaches al dente texture for optimal flavor and texture.
• Chicken Searing Technique: Cook chicken on medium-high heat until golden brown, creating a flavorful caramelized exterior.
• Sauce Reduction Magic: Allow broth and lemon juice to simmer and reduce, concentrating flavors and creating a rich, cohesive sauce.
• Finishing Touches: Gently fold spinach and sprinkle feta to maintain fresh ingredients’ vibrant color and delicate texture.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg