# Creamy Chicken Pasta with Spinach: A Hearty Indulgence

If you’re a fan of rich, filling pastas, this creamy chicken pasta with spinach is set to transform your dining experience, or at the very least, provide a fantastic dinner. This recipe merges the cozy aspects of a classic chicken pot pie with the pleasing consistency of pasta, making it an excellent choice for any occasion.

## The Inspiration Behind the Recipe

As passionate skiers, a satisfying meal is crucial after a long day on the slopes. This creamy chicken and spinach pasta has become a favorite due to its quick preparation and immense satisfaction. The recipe is designed for advance prep, allowing for an easy dinner after a day on the slopes or any hectic day.

## Creamy Chicken and Spinach Pasta: Ingredients

To craft this delectable dish, you will require the following ingredients:

– **Chicken**: Skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs are preferred for their flavor and cost-effectiveness. Alternatively, boneless, skinless thighs or ground chicken may be utilized.
– **Butter**: Employed for sautéing aromatics and creating a roux that thickens the sauce.
– **Aromatics**: A combination of onions, garlic, and carrots contributes sweetness and complexity of flavor.
– **Flour**: Necessary for creating the roux that thickens the sauce.
– **Chicken stock and milk**: Chicken stock boosts flavor, while milk contributes creaminess.
– **Cheese**: Shredded white cheeses such as mozzarella, Parmesan, or Gouda are ideal.
– **Pasta**: Short, spoon-friendly pasta shapes like mezze penne, ziti, or fusilli are perfect for holding the sauce.

## How to Prepare Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta

### Step-by-Step Directions

1. **Prep**: Chop the onion and carrots, mince the garlic, slice the spinach, and shred the cheese. Cut the chicken into pieces.

2. **Sauté**: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and carrots, cooking until tender. Incorporate the chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until lightly browned.

3. **Stir**: After the chicken is lightly cooked, add more butter and sprinkle in the flour, stirring to coat the chicken and vegetables.

4. **Add Liquid**: Gradually whisk in the chicken stock and milk, mixing thoroughly. Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken.

5. **Cook Pasta**: In another pot, boil salted water and cook the pasta until 3 minutes before al dente. Reserve some pasta water before draining.

6. **Finish Sauce**: Stir the shredded cheese and spinach into the sauce, mixing until the cheese is melted and the spinach is wilted. Adjust seasoning as desired.

7. **Combine**: Add the drained pasta to the sauce, stirring to coat. Cook for an additional 3 minutes, adding reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.

8. **Serve**: Enjoy your creamy chicken pasta while it’s hot!

## Selecting the Right Pasta Shape

For this recipe, short pasta shapes are favored as they beautifully hold the creamy sauce. Mezze shapes, such as mezze maniche or mezze rigatoni, are particularly desirable, but other short forms such as fusilli or cavatappi also work effectively.

## What to Accompany Chicken Pot Pie Pasta

This dish stands alone as a complete meal, but if you wish to enhance your dining experience, consider pairing it with a simple kale salad and homemade focaccia for an added touch of sophistication.

## Conclusion

This creamy chicken pasta with spinach isn’t just a meal; it’s a comforting journey that combines the finest elements of traditional chicken pot pie with the delightful texture of pasta. Ideal for any evening of the week, this recipe is certain to become a fixture in your dinner repertoire. Enjoy!

**Utilizing Fresh Lasagna Noodles and Spinach in Vegetarian Lasagna**

When making a vegetarian lasagna, opting for fresh lasagna noodles can make the task easier as they don’t need to be boiled beforehand. This not only saves time but also guarantees an ideal texture in the finished meal. For those who enjoy a spinach-laden lasagna, using ¾ cup of frozen spinach in place of fresh spinach is an easy alternative. Just thaw and thoroughly squeeze out any extra moisture, allowing you to bypass the cooking process completely.

For an even tastier and vegetable-rich lasagna, think about incorporating sautéed vegetables. Sliced mushrooms, chopped zucchini, and bell peppers are great picks. Sauté these veggies until they are soft and all released liquid has evaporated, then layer them with the spinach for a filling dish.

**Keeping and Reheating Leftovers**

Remaining lasagna can be stored in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. To reheat, place it in a 375°F oven until it is warmed through. For longer preservation, freezing is a viable option. It’s advisable to cut the lasagna into individual servings and freeze each piece separately. When you’re ready to enjoy, defrost the servings in the refrigerator, then reheat in a baking dish covered with foil at 400°F for around 15 minutes.

**Freezing Unbaked Lasagna**

To freeze an unbaked lasagna, adhere to the same storage recommendations. This enables you to prepare the dish ahead of time and bake it freshly when necessary, ensuring a delicious and hassle-free meal.

Alex & Sonja: The Culinary Pair Behind A Couple Cooks

Alex and Sonja Overhiser are the vibrant pair behind the renowned food blog, A Couple Cooks. As authors of two celebrated cookbooks and active parents, they have successfully established a place in the culinary scene by sharing their love for uncomplicated, seasonal cooking. Their adventure commenced in 2010 when they created their website to provide a wealth of original recipes, cooking advice, and meal planning concepts.

The pair’s philosophy towards cooking is anchored in the delight of crafting flavorful meals that are both easy to prepare and wholesome. Their recipes frequently highlight the importance of fresh, seasonal produce, showcasing their devotion to healthy eating and eco-friendly practices. Throughout the years, Alex and Sonja have crafted thousands of recipes, each carefully developed and refined in their own kitchen, often with assistance from their children.

Their cookbooks have gained popularity, giving readers insight into their culinary ideology and offering practical advice for home cooks at any skill level. The Overhisers’ capability to juggle their roles as parents and professional food creators exemplifies their commitment and enthusiasm for the culinary arts.

Through A Couple Cooks, Alex and Sonja have cultivated a community of food lovers who value their friendly approach and the warmth they introduce to the kitchen. Their endeavors continue to motivate others to enjoy the art of cooking and to discover the limitless potential of creating meals that nourish both body and spirit.

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This Mediterranean chicken dish showcases juicy chicken breasts baked alongside cherry tomatoes, olives, capers, lemon, and feta, creating a nutritious one-pan dinner. Ready in only 30 minutes, it serves as an ideal option for a swift and tasty meal. The dish highlights Mediterranean tastes, with cherry tomatoes releasing their juices into a shiny sauce, Castelvetrano olives contributing depth, and capers introducing salty bursts. The recipe is straightforward, using fresh elements such as boneless, skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, a special spice mix, cherry tomatoes, shallot, garlic, lemon slices, Castelvetrano olives, capers, and optional feta cheese.

For optimal results, flatten the chicken evenly, monitor the broiler closely, and allow the chicken to rest post-cooking. This recipe aligns with a Mediterranean diet, incorporating fresh veggies, olive oil, and herbs for flavor. It is naturally gluten-free and can be made dairy-free by omitting the feta.

Serve the chicken accompanied by the sauce from the pan, and for a complete meal, combine it with simple stuffed dates or fresh fruit. Feel free to modify the recipe with variations such as Greek-style, Italian, spicy, or with artichokes. You can also substitute the protein with salmon fillets or boneless chicken thighs.

Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, and reheat using a covered skillet with a bit of water or broth. The chicken may also be frozen for as long as 3 months. Leftovers make excellent sandwiches or grain bowls.

This Mediterranean chicken dish is a charming way to relish a nutritious and delightful meal with minimal effort.