Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the tomatoes soften.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta and fresh spinach. Toss everything together until the spinach has wilted and the pasta is thoroughly coated.
- If the sauce is too thick, stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Garnish with fresh basil and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan. Serve immediately.
Notes
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk to restore creaminess. Substitutions: Use chicken thighs for juicier results, or half-and-half for a lighter sauce. You can also substitute shrimp for chicken (cook for 2-3 minutes per side). Make-Ahead: The sauce can be made up to a day ahead. Store chicken and sauce separately from pasta, then combine when reheating.
