Description
Savory chicken pasta blends rich artichoke spinach sauce with hearty noodles for a comforting Mediterranean-inspired meal. Creamy textures and bold flavors invite diners to experience a delightful culinary journey through simple, satisfying ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lb (680 grams) chicken breasts
- 1.5 cups (170 grams) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 8 oz (226 grams) penne pasta
- 14 oz (397 grams) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 8 oz (226 grams) spinach, frozen, thawed completely, and drained
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken Cutlets: Slice chicken breasts horizontally to create thin, even cutlets that will cook uniformly and remain tender.
- Season and Sear: Generously season cutlets with salt and pepper, then sear in a hot skillet with olive oil until golden-brown, approximately 5 minutes per side.
- Rest and Slice Chicken: Remove chicken from heat, let rest to preserve moisture, then slice into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook Pasta: Bring water to a rolling boil in a large pot, cook penne until al dente, then drain thoroughly while maintaining its slight firmness.
- Craft Creamy Sauce: In the same skillet, create a velvety sauce by introducing heavy cream, shredded cheese, and milk, stirring continuously until smooth and gently bubbling.
- Combine and Finish: Fold cooked penne into the creamy sauce, add artichoke hearts and spinach, then top with prepared chicken pieces, seasoning to taste.
Notes
- Slice Smartly: Carefully cut chicken breasts horizontally for even thickness, ensuring uniform cooking and tender meat texture.
- Season Generously: Salt and pepper chicken cutlets thoroughly to build a robust flavor foundation before cooking.
- Perfect Pasta Technique: Boil pasta until al dente, maintaining a slight resistance when biting, which prevents mushy texture.
- Balance Sauce Consistency: Stir cheese and cream slowly, adjusting milk quantity to create a smooth, clingy sauce that coats pasta perfectly without becoming too thin or thick.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 701
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 582 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 49 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg