Ingredients:

  • 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 oz (225g) cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1.25ml) red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
  • 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 10 oz (280g) fresh spinach, washed and roughly chopped
  • 1 lb (450g) pasta of your choice (fettuccine, linguine, or penne work well)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
  3. Add sliced mushrooms and cook until softened and browned.
  4. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  5. Add chicken to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C). Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  6. Pour white wine into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until the wine has reduced slightly.
  7. Add chicken broth and heavy cream to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce has thickened slightly.
  8. Stir in Parmesan cheese and lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Add spinach to the sauce and cook until wilted.
  10. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. Add a little pasta water if needed to achieve the desired consistency.
  11. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese. Enjoy your chicken spinach pasta.