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Lemon Chicken Pasta with Spinach and Parmesan

A close-up of a bowl of Lemon Chicken Pasta with Spinach and Parmesan, garnished with lemon slices.
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A quick and easy Italian-American pasta dish featuring tender chicken, fresh spinach, and a bright lemon-Parmesan sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces gluten-free penne pasta or whole-wheat penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter, cubed
  • 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 10 cups chopped fresh spinach

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of the cooking water, then drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Add chicken, salt, and pepper. Cook 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
  3. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in wine, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Simmer, then add butter and 1 tablespoon Parmesan. Stir constantly until the sauce emulsifies, about 2 minutes.
  4. Add ¼–½ cup reserved pasta water to thicken. Stir in pasta and spinach. Cook 5 minutes, until spinach wilts and pasta is heated through.
  5. Divide among 4 plates and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Swap chicken for shrimp for a seafood version.
  • Add mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, or zucchini for extra veggies.
  • Freshly grated Parmesan melts best into the sauce.
  • For a creamy version, add a splash of cream or ricotta.
  • Reheat gently with broth or water to refresh the sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: Lemon Chicken Pasta, Spinach Pasta, Parmesan Pasta, Quick Dinner, Easy Pasta, Weeknight Meal, Italian-American Recipe, Skillet Pasta

Find it online: https://www.meltitclean.com/lemon-chicken-pasta-spinach-parmesan/