Creamy Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

Quick Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti Recipe for Dinner Joy

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this creamy tomato spinach chicken spaghetti recipe delivers pure comfort on a plate.

Home cooks searching for a quick and satisfying meal will adore this crowd-pleasing dish.

Tender chicken mingles with vibrant spinach and rich tomato sauce, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.

Each twirled forkful promises a delightful taste adventure that goes beyond ordinary pasta nights.

The pasta’s silky strands capture every succulent morsel of seasoned chicken and velvety sauce.

Colorful, nutritious, and simple to assemble, this spaghetti promises to become a staple in your weekly rotation.

Dive into this delectable recipe and transform an ordinary evening into a memorable dining experience.

Ingredients List for Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti

For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Concentrated sweet-tangy burst that elevates the dish's Mediterranean essence, choose oil-packed varieties for richer taste.
  • Olive Oil: Silky base that carries deep, fruity notes and helps develop complex flavors, select extra virgin for best quality.
  • Garlic Cloves: Aromatic powerhouse that infuses the dish with robust, pungent warmth, opt for fresh, firm cloves without green sprouts.
For Protein Base:
  • Chicken: Lean, tender protein that absorbs seasonings beautifully, select boneless thighs for juicier texture and deeper flavor profile.
  • Salt: Essential mineral that amplifies and balances the overall taste, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Subtle heat element that adds gentle spiciness, choose high-quality flakes for consistent flavor.
For Fresh Components:
  • Roma Tomatoes: Meaty, low-moisture fruit that provides bright, fresh acidity, select ripe but firm tomatoes with deep color.
  • Fresh Basil Leaves: Vibrant herb that introduces herbaceous, peppery freshness, pick bright green leaves without wilting.
  • Fresh Spinach: Tender green that adds nutritional boost and earthy undertones, choose crisp, dark leaves without yellowing.
  • Spaghetti Pasta: Classic wheat-based noodle that serves as the hearty foundation, select high-quality durum wheat variety.

Utensils Needed for Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti

  • Large Skillet: Essential for sautéing chicken, vegetables, and combining ingredients with a wide cooking surface.
  • Cutting Board: Needed for chopping Roma tomatoes, chicken, and preparing ingredients.
  • Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precisely cutting vegetables and chicken into uniform pieces.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
  • Colander: Crucial for draining pasta after cooking to remove excess water.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure red pepper flakes, salt, and olive oil.
  • Pasta Pot: Used for boiling spaghetti to al dente perfection.

Step-by-Step Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti Instructions

  • Skillet Warmup

Gently heat olive oil in a large skillet, creating a fragrant base for the delicious meal ahead.

  • Chicken Transformation

Add chicken pieces seasoned with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes and a touch of salt, cooking until perfectly golden and tender.

  • Veggie Symphony

Toss in vibrant Roma tomatoes, aromatic basil, fresh spinach, and minced garlic, letting the ingredients dance and meld together until spinach softens slightly.

  • Pasta Magic

Prepare spaghetti to al dente perfection, ensuring a delightful texture that will complement the rich chicken and vegetable mixture.

  • Flavor Fusion

Gently combine the pasta with the skillet’s savory contents, stirring carefully to distribute the herbs and spices evenly throughout the dish.

  • Final Touch

Drizzle with a luxurious splash of high-quality olive oil, elevating the entire dish with a silky, rich finish that brings all the flavors together in perfect harmony.

Helpful Hints for Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti

  • Cooking Tips & Variations
  • Chicken Choice Magic: Use rotisserie chicken for a super quick meal or swap with turkey for a lean protein alternative that keeps the dish exciting and fresh.
  • Spice Level Play: Adjust red pepper flakes to match your heat preference – from a gentle sprinkle for mild lovers to a bold dash for spice enthusiasts who crave a flavor kick.
  • Cheese Lover's Twist: Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan or crumbled feta on top for an extra creamy texture that adds depth and richness to the entire dish.
  • Veggie Swap Potential: Replace spinach with kale or swiss chard for a different nutrient profile, or add zucchini and bell peppers to increase vegetable variety and create more colorful plate presentation.

Plating Suggestions for Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti

  • Elegant Italian Plating: Twirl the spaghetti beautifully on white ceramic plates, ensuring chicken and vegetables are evenly distributed for a restaurant-style presentation.
  • Fresh Herbal Finish: Sprinkle freshly chopped basil or parsley on top to add vibrant color and enhance the dish's aromatic profile, creating a burst of freshness with each bite.
  • Wine Pairing Magic: Complement the tomato and chicken flavors with a crisp white wine like pinot grigio or a light-bodied sauvignon blanc, elevating the dining experience and balancing the meal's richness.
  • Cheese Lover's Dream: Grate high-quality parmesan or pecorino romano cheese over the hot pasta, allowing it to melt slightly and add a savory, salty dimension to the already flavorful dish.

Storage Advice for Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti

  • Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days when refrigerated at 40°F or below.
  • Freezing Performance: Freeze individual portions in sealed containers for up to 2 months. Recommend separating chicken and pasta before freezing to maintain optimal texture.
  • Reheating Magic: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of olive oil or chicken broth to restore moisture. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.
  • Lunch Prep Champion: Perfect for make-ahead meals. Pack in meal prep containers with a small compartment for extra olive oil or fresh herbs to refresh the flavor when ready to eat.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 487 kcal

Servings: 5

Print
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Creamy Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

Creamy Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti Recipe


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4.7 from 22 reviews

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

Description

Creamy tomato spinach chicken spaghetti blends Italian comfort with fresh Mediterranean flavors. Cheesy, herbal notes complement tender chicken and silky pasta for a quick weeknight dinner you can enjoy with family.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 0.5 lbs (226 g) chicken, boneless and skinless (preferably thighs), chopped
  • 8 oz (226 g) spaghetti pasta
  • 8 oz (226 g) fresh spinach
  • 4 roma tomatoes, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped, drained of oil
  • 2 tbsps olive oil (drained from sun-dried tomatoes)
  • 3 tbsps high-quality olive oil (or oil from the sun-dried tomatoes jar)
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Sauté Base: Heat skillet over medium-low flame, introducing sun-dried tomatoes and olive oil to develop a rich, aromatic foundation.
  2. Chicken Preparation: Add chicken to skillet, generously seasoning with red pepper flakes and salt. Cook thoroughly until meat transitions from pale pink to golden brown, ensuring complete doneness.
  3. Vegetable Integration: Fold in Roma tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, spinach, and minced garlic. Allow ingredients to meld together, with spinach wilting and releasing its vibrant green essence, creating a harmonious flavor profile.
  4. Pasta Coordination: Simultaneously cook spaghetti in separate pot until achieving perfect al dente texture. Drain pasta, reserving its delicate strands.
  5. Fusion and Finishing: Combine pasta with chicken-vegetable mixture, stirring meticulously to ensure comprehensive coating. Gently reheat to marry flavors, performing final seasoning adjustments as needed.
  6. Elegant Completion: Culminate the dish with a luxurious drizzle of premium olive oil, introducing a final layer of rich, silky complexity to the culinary masterpiece.

Notes

  • Select the Right Skillet: Use a wide, spacious pan to ensure even cooking and prevent overcrowding of ingredients.
  • Optimize Chicken Cooking: Sear chicken on medium-high heat to achieve a golden-brown exterior while maintaining juicy interior.
  • Master Spinach Wilting: Add spinach last and cook briefly to preserve its vibrant color and nutritional value.
  • Enhance Flavor Layering: Reserve pasta water to help sauce cling to noodles and create a more cohesive, silky texture.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 487
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 50 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts

Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Dietary Planning​, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education​, Content Development​

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
  • Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.​

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice. ​

Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating. 

Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.

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