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Frischkäse Spinat Hähnchen Pasta recipe card

Frischkäse Spinat Hähnchen Pasta

Cremige Pasta mit zartem Hähnchen, frischem Spinat und sämiger Frischkäsesauce für schnelle Familienabende.
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Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 lb chicken breast cut into 1 in cubes
  • 9 oz penne or fusilli pasta
  • 7 oz fresh spinach washed and roughly chopped
  • 7 oz cream cheese
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil divided
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water

Method
 

  1. Season the chicken cubes with salt, pepper, and dried thyme.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Sear the chicken until golden and cooked through, 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
  3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, then reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
  4. In the same skillet, heat the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic until fragrant and translucent, 3 minutes.
  5. Reduce heat to medium low. Stir in cream cheese until mostly melted, then whisk in chicken broth until smooth and creamy.
  6. Stir in spinach and cook until just wilted, 2 minutes.
  7. Add drained pasta and cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss to coat; add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
  8. Stir in paprika, then taste and adjust salt and pepper. Serve topped with Parmesan and parsley.

Notes

- Add spinach at the end so it stays green and not watery.
- Stir in broth gradually to keep the cream cheese sauce smooth.
- Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce texture and help it cling to the noodles.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for 2 days; reheat in a skillet with 2 tbsp broth or water.