One-Pot Creamy Chicken Alfredo Pasta with Spinach
A rich and creamy chicken Alfredo pasta cooked in one pot with tender spinach for a quick, satisfying weeknight dinner. This italian-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs olive oil, minced garlic cloves, fettuccine pasta for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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.
Ingredients
- 2 (about 1 lb), sliced into strips boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 8 oz fettuccine pasta
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 sliced chicken breasts and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through, then remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 3 cups chicken broth and 1 cup heavy cream, bring to a simmer.
- Step 4: Add 8 oz fettuccine pasta, pressing it down to submerge in liquid. Cover and simmer for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Step 5: Stir in the cooked chicken strips, 3 cups fresh baby spinach, and 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Cook for another 2 minutes until spinach wilts and cheese melts into a creamy sauce.
- Step 6: Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes if using. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Creamy Chicken Alfredo Pasta with Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 One-Pot Creamy Chicken Alfredo Pasta with Spinach?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Creamy Chicken Alfredo Pasta with Spinach?
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 One-Pot Creamy Chicken Alfredo Pasta with Spinach 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 One-Pot Creamy Chicken Alfredo Pasta with Spinach?
Italian chicken 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.
