Description
A comforting and elegant dish featuring tender pan-seared chicken and vibrant fresh spinach tossed in a rich, velvety Alfredo sauce with fettuccine pasta. This Creamy Spinach Chicken Alfredo Delight is perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cups fresh spinach, thoroughly washed and chopped
- 8 ounces fettuccine pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Fill a large pot with water, adding a generous amount of salt, and bring it to a rolling boil. Carefully add the fettuccine and cook according to the package instructions until it reaches an al dente texture. Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander, ensuring to reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Prepare the Chicken: While the pasta is cooking, season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the pan, cooking them for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until they are cooked through and a beautiful golden brown. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes. After resting, slice the chicken into thin strips.
- Sauté the Spinach: In the same skillet, with the residual flavors from the chicken, add the chopped spinach and minced garlic. Sauté the mixture for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the spinach wilts down and the garlic releases its fragrant aroma.
- Make the Alfredo Sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low. Gently pour in the heavy cream, stirring consistently to warm it through. Gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and the Italian seasoning, stirring until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce thickens slightly. If the sauce becomes too thick for your liking, incorporate a bit of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until you achieve your desired creamy consistency.
- Combine Everything: Carefully mix the cooked fettuccine and sliced chicken into the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. Toss everything gently yet thoroughly to ensure every strand of pasta and chicken piece is beautifully coated in the creamy sauce. Heat the combined dish for an additional minute, allowing the flavors to meld together. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper as necessary.
- Serve: Plate your creamy spinach chicken Alfredo delight with a generous portion on each plate. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for an aromatic touch and an extra burst of color. Enjoy your delectable creation warm!
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
- Rest chicken before slicing for tenderness.
- Garnish with fresh basil for extra flavor and color.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approx. 600-700
- Sugar: Approx. 3-5g
- Sodium: Approx. 500-700mg
- Fat: Approx. 35-45g
- Saturated Fat: Approx. 20-25g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approx. 15-20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: Approx. 40-50g
- Fiber: Approx. 2-3g
- Protein: Approx. 30-35g
- Cholesterol: Approx. 100-120mg