One Pan Creamy Chicken Pasta (Printable)

Tender chicken and penne pasta cook together in a rich, creamy sauce with sautéed vegetables for a comforting one-pan meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs), cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped

→ Pasta & Liquids

09 - 10 oz penne or short pasta
10 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 1 cup heavy cream
12 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Oils & Extras

13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
15 - Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

# Method:

01 - Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, coating evenly.
02 - Heat olive oil and butter in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until lightly browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
03 - Add onion to the same pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Stir in the red bell pepper and cook for another 2 minutes until slightly softened.
05 - Add uncooked pasta to the pan, followed by chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir to combine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
06 - Bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
07 - Return cooked chicken to the pan, add baby spinach, and stir in Parmesan cheese. Cook for 2-3 minutes until spinach wilts and sauce thickens.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.

# Insider Tips:

01 -
  • One pan means less cleanup and more time enjoying dinner
  • The pasta absorbs all those flavors while it cooks
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes with pantry staples
02 -
  • The sauce will look thin at first but thickens as the pasta releases starch
  • Stir occasionally while simmering so nothing sticks to the bottom
  • Taste the sauce before adding extra salt since Parmesan is already salty
03 -
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan instead of pre shredded for better melting
  • Let the pan cool slightly before washing to make cleanup easier

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