Sour Cream Chicken and Spinach Pasta
A creamy, comforting dish combining tender chicken, spinach, and a tangy sour cream sauce with garlic and dill. This american-inspired pasta ready in about 45 minutes pairs (6 oz each) chicken breast, spinach, sour cream for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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
- 2 (6 oz each) chicken breast
- 4 cups spinach
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp fresh dill
- 12 oz uncooked pasta
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook pasta according to package instructions, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water. Drain.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add chicken breasts, season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper, and cook 6-8 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: Add spinach to the skillet, stirring until wilted (2-3 minutes). Stir in sour cream, heavy cream, chopped dill, remaining 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Cook 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens, adding reserved pasta water as needed.
- Step 4: Slice chicken into strips, add to the skillet, and toss with pasta and sauce until well combined. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sour Cream Chicken and Spinach Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 Sour Cream Chicken and Spinach 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 (6 oz each) chicken breast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sour Cream Chicken and Spinach 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 Sour Cream Chicken and Spinach 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 Sour Cream Chicken and Spinach Pasta?
American pasta 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
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
- ★☆☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
