If you’re ready to switch things up from the usual marinara, this easy chicken spinach pasta recipe delivers a satisfying, flavorful meal with tender chicken, pasta, fresh spinach, and garlic. It’s an excellent way to use leftover grilled chicken and comes together quickly for a busy weeknight.
This chicken and pasta dish is simple, delicious, and versatile. Use fresh garlic when you can for the best flavor, but garlic powder works in a pinch. Leftover grilled or roasted chicken is perfect here — just cut it into bite-sized pieces and toss it in near the end of cooking so it stays tender.
If fresh spinach isn’t available, frozen spinach is a fine substitute — be sure to fully thaw and squeeze out excess moisture before adding it to the pan. For a gluten-free option, swap the pasta shells for your preferred gluten-free pasta.
This recipe also appears in volume 1 of the Dining On A Dime cookbook series.
Easy Chicken Spinach Pasta Recipe
Tender chicken and vibrant spinach meet pasta in a savory garlic-parmesan sauce in this easy, family-friendly recipe. It’s quick to prepare, uses common pantry ingredients, and adapts well to what you have on hand. Whether you’re feeding kids, prepping a simple date-night meal, or using up leftovers, this dish balances protein and greens with satisfying pasta. The flavors are mild but savory, and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan at the end brightens every bite. This recipe is ideal for busy evenings when you want a wholesome dinner without a long ingredient list or complicated steps.
- Author: Tawra Kellam
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
1 lb. fresh spinach, rinsed well
1 cup chicken broth (reserve after cooking spinach)
1 (16 oz) package pasta shells
1 tsp olive oil or cooking spray
4 cloves garlic, minced (or 1–2 tsp garlic powder)
1/2 tsp nutmeg or mace (optional; adds warmth)
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 lb chicken breast, boned and skinned, grilled and cut into 1-inch pieces (leftover chicken works great)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
Instructions
- Place the rinsed spinach in a large skillet or saucepan with the chicken broth. Cook over medium heat until the spinach is wilted and tender. This helps infuse the greens with flavor and creates a little cooking liquid to use later.
- Carefully drain the spinach, reserving the broth. Press or mash the spinach to remove any excess water so the final dish isn’t watery. Keep the reserved broth nearby for adjusting consistency.
- Cook the pasta shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a small cup of the pasta cooking water if desired for further adjustment.
- In a heavy skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil or spray. Add the minced garlic and sauté briefly, stirring constantly, until fragrant and just turning white — about 30–60 seconds. Avoid browning the garlic to prevent bitterness.
- Add the cooked spinach back to the skillet along with the nutmeg or mace, and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine and warm the spinach through.
- Add the grilled chicken pieces to the spinach and stir gently to combine. Pour in a small amount of the reserved cooking broth to moisten the mixture; add more as needed if the spinach seems dry. The broth helps bind flavors and keeps the dish saucy without heavy cream.
- Stir the filling until everything is heated through and well seasoned. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat the shells in the spinach-chicken mixture. If the pasta seems dry, add a splash of reserved broth or pasta water until you reach the desired consistency.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top. Toss once more so the cheese melts into the warm pasta, creating a light, savory finish.
- Serve immediately, offering extra Parmesan at the table. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for 2–3 days and reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth to refresh the sauce.
This easy chicken spinach pasta recipe is from volume 1 of our cookbook:
Try this chicken spinach pasta for a satisfying weeknight dinner — it’s flexible, flavorful, and family-friendly.