Creamy Garlic Spinach Chicken Pasta

• Meat

  • 1 lb Chicken breasts, boneless skinless

• Produce

  • 3 cloves Garlic
  • 10 oz Spinach, fresh
  • 1 Yellow onion, large

• Pasta & Grains

  • 12 oz Penne pasta, whole wheat

• Baking & Spices

  • 1 tsp Red pepper flake

• Oils & Vinegars

  • 1 tbsp Olive oil, Extra Virgin

• Dairy

  • 1/2 cup Garlic and herb cream cheese
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Found on beckysbestbites.com

Description

Ingredients

• 12 oz. (1 box) of whole wheat penne pasta
• 10 oz. fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
• 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 large, yellow onion, chopped
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
• ½ cup garlic and herb cream cheese
• ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flake, more or less depending on your preference
• sea salt and fresh cracked pepper, to taste.

Directions

• Cook pasta according to package directions, reserving one cup of starching cooking water. Drain and return to hot pot, add chopped spinach, cover and set aside to let spinach wilt.
• Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet.
• Once hot, add chicken to the skillet and sauté for approximately 5 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
• Add onion and garlic to the pan and saute for 2-3 minutes or until the onion has softened and beginning to turn translucent.
• Add cream cheese and reserved cooking water to chicken. Stir to combine and melt cream cheese.
• Add chicken/cream cheese mixture to pot with pasta and spinach. Add parmesan, crushed red pepper (if using), salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
• Serve with additional parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes for garnish.
• A simple green salad and warm whole wheat bread would be lovely with this pasta!!