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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook pasta to al dente perfection according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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