Name: Italian Chicken and Spinach Pasta with Tomato-Basil Sauce
Prep time: 35 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 10 oz whole wheat penne pasta; 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast; 1 tbsp olive oil; 3 cups fresh baby spinach; 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes; 1/2 tsp dried oregano; 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (plus extra for garnish); 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; Salt and black pepper, to taste

Italian Chicken and Spinach Pasta with Tomato-Basil Sauce

GoldenGrape9245

This Italian Chicken and Spinach Pasta with Tomato-Basil Sauce is a vibrant, protein-packed dinner perfect for anyone seeking weight loss and muscle gain. Juicy chicken breast, fiber-rich whole wheat pasta, and fresh spinach come together in a fragrant tomato-basil sauce. By finishing the pasta right in the sauce and using reserved pasta water, you achieve a restaurant-quality finish with a silky, flavorful coating. The combination of lean protein, complex carbs, and greens makes this a filling yet healthy meal you'll want to cook again and again.

Ingredients

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add whole wheat penne and cook until 2 minutes shy of package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain (do not rinse).
While pasta cooks, cut chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and pepper.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear until golden and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
In the same skillet, lower heat to medium. Add garlic, crushed red pepper, and oregano. Sauté 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in crushed tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes.
Return chicken to the skillet. Add spinach and half the basil. Stir until spinach wilts.
Add drained pasta directly into the sauce. Toss well, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky, emulsified sauce. Simmer together for 2 minutes.
Remove pan from heat. Sprinkle with Parmesan and remaining basil. Toss gently. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Serve hot, garnished with extra basil.