Mushroom & Spinach Creamy Chicken Pasta
A creamy, one-pot pasta dish with tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and fresh spinach, finished with a velvety sauce in just 30 minutes. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 40 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes chicken breast, sliced cremini mushrooms, fresh spinach for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes chicken breast
- 8 oz, sliced cremini mushrooms
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup, finely chopped yellow onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 8 oz penne pasta
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season 1 lb chicken cubes with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add chopped onion to the same skillet, cooking for 3 minutes until translucent. Stir in minced garlic and sliced mushrooms, cooking for 4-5 minutes until mushrooms release liquid and brown slightly.
- Step 3: Pour in 1 cup chicken broth and 1/2 tsp dried thyme, scraping up any browned bits. Add 8 oz penne pasta, stirring to coat, and simmer for 8 minutes until pasta is al dente, adding splashes of water if needed.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and cooked chicken, then add 2 cups fresh spinach, stirring until wilted and spinach is fully incorporated. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed, then serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mushroom & Spinach Creamy Chicken Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Mushroom & Spinach Creamy Chicken Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep sliced cremini mushrooms from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mushroom & Spinach Creamy Chicken Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Mushroom & Spinach Creamy Chicken Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Mushroom & Spinach Creamy Chicken Pasta?
Italian one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
- ★☆☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
