Springtime Chicken Asparagus Spinach Artichoke Pasta Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this creamy chicken and asparagus spinach and artichoke pasta delivers pure culinary magic.

Tender chicken blends seamlessly with vibrant green vegetables, creating a dish that sparkles with flavor.

Silky sauce coats each pasta strand, inviting you to savor every delectable bite.

Artichokes add a subtle earthy note that complements the spinach’s fresh green essence.

Parmesan cheese melts into the sauce, building depth and richness that elevates this simple meal.

Fresh herbs scattered across the top add a final burst of aroma and color.

This pasta promises to become your new favorite comfort food that everyone at the table will adore.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 650 kcal

Servings: 5

All Ingredients For Chicken And Asparagus Spinach And Artichoke Pasta

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein that provides a hearty base for the dish, choose fresh, high-quality cuts with minimal fat.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds rich umami flavor and creamy texture, select aged varieties for deeper taste.

• Asparagus: Brings crisp, green freshness and earthy undertones, pick bright green stalks with tight tips.
• Artichoke Hearts: Delivers tangy and slightly nutty flavor, opt for jarred or canned hearts for convenience.
• Spinach: Introduces vibrant color and nutritional boost, select crisp, deep green leaves.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic depth, choose firm bulbs without sprouting.
• Parsley: Offers bright, fresh finishing touch, look for vivid green leaves.

• Olive Oil: Creates smooth cooking base and adds subtle richness, choose extra virgin for best flavor.
• Cream: Generates silky, luxurious sauce texture, select high-fat content for better consistency.
• Lemon: Adds bright, zesty notes, pick firm fruits with smooth skin.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces subtle heat, adjust quantity based on spice preference.
• Salt and Pepper: Fundamental seasoning for enhancing overall flavor profile.

Helpful Tools For Chicken And Asparagus Spinach And Artichoke Pasta

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta with enough space to cook noodles evenly.
• Large Skillet: Perfect for sautéing chicken, vegetables, and creating creamy sauce.
• Cutting Board: Needed for prepping chicken, garlic, asparagus, and parsley.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for chopping ingredients precisely and quickly.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Colander: Used to drain pasta after cooking.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps measure olive oil, salt, and other seasonings accurately.
• Grater: Useful for zesting lemon and grating Parmesan cheese.

Steps To Make Chicken And Asparagus Spinach And Artichoke Pasta

• Boil Pasta Perfectly

Bring a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta until it’s tender but still has a slight bite. Save some pasta water before draining and set pasta aside.

• Sear Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook until beautifully browned and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and keep warm.

• Transform Vegetables

In the same skillet, add another splash of olive oil and quickly sauté garlic. Toss in asparagus and cook until it’s crisp-tender. Add artichoke hearts and let them warm through.

• Create Creamy Sauce Magic

Lower the heat and pour in cream, squeeze fresh lemon juice, and sprinkle lemon zest. Stir in Parmesan cheese and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer and thicken slightly.

• Bring Everything Together

Return chicken to the skillet. Fold in fresh spinach until it wilts. Add cooked pasta and gently toss, using reserved pasta water to smooth out the sauce if needed.

• Serve and Enjoy

Plate the pasta, topping with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve immediately while warm and inviting.

Ideas To Elevate Chicken And Asparagus Spinach And Artichoke Pasta

• Cooking Mastery Tricks: Perfectly crisp chicken requires patting it dry before seasoning to achieve golden-brown exterior.
• Sauce Silkiness Secret: Reserve pasta water helps create smoother, more cohesive sauce by adding starchy liquid to help ingredients bind together.
• Diet-Friendly Swap: Replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for lighter, healthier version suitable for low-fat diets.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Substitute chicken with grilled tofu, roasted chickpeas, or plant-based protein crumbles for delicious meat-free alternative.
• Flavor Boosting Hack: Toast red pepper flakes in olive oil before adding other ingredients to intensify their spicy, complex flavor profile and release deeper aromatics.

Nice Ways To Serve Chicken And Asparagus Spinach And Artichoke Pasta

• Pasta Party Platter: Create a vibrant spread with extra Parmesan, red pepper flakes, and fresh chopped herbs scattered across the table for guests to customize their dishes.
• Mediterranean Mingle: Pair the pasta with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light salad with lemon vinaigrette to complement the creamy, zesty flavors.
• Fresh Finish Flair: Top each serving with toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds for added crunch and nutty depth that elevates the overall texture and taste experience.
• Leftover Love: Transform remaining pasta into a cold lunch option by adding cherry tomatoes and mixing with a bit of extra olive oil for a refreshing next-day meal.

Keep Chicken And Asparagus Spinach And Artichoke Pasta Fresh

• Meal Freshness Strategies: Store leftovers in airtight containers, keeping the pasta and sauce separate to maintain optimal texture and prevent sogginess.
• Refrigeration Magic: Seal the dish in sealed containers and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the best flavor and quality during storage.
• Quick Reheating Tricks: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of pasta water or milk to restore creamy consistency, preventing sauce from breaking or becoming dry.
• Freezing Wisdom: Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months, removing air pockets to prevent freezer burn and maintain delicious taste.

Creamy Chicken And Asparagus Spinach And Artichoke Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy chicken and asparagus spinach and artichoke pasta blends Mediterranean flavors into a comforting dinner delight. Home cooks can savor this elegant meal with minimal kitchen effort and maximum satisfaction.

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Ingredients

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• 1 pound (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 12 oz (340 g) penne, fettuccine, or pasta of choice
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 (14 oz/400 g) can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring a generously salted water bath to a vigorous boil. Immerse pasta and cook until al dente, reserving a small amount of starchy liquid before draining.
2. Chicken Transformation: Sear chicken in a hot skillet with olive oil, seasoning thoroughly with salt and pepper. Achieve a crisp exterior while maintaining a succulent interior. Remove and set aside on a plate.
3. Flavor Foundation: In the same skillet, release garlic’s aromatic potential. Introduce asparagus, coaxing to tender-crisp perfection, followed by artichoke hearts to build complex flavor layers.
4. Sauce Alchemy: Combine cream, lemon juice and zest, and Parmesan cheese. For adventurous palates, sprinkle red pepper flakes. Simmer until the mixture reduces to a luxurious, silky consistency.
5. Harmonious Integration: Reintroduce chicken to the skillet. Gently fold in spinach leaves, allowing them to wilt and meld with the creamy sauce. Incorporate pasta, tossing with purposeful movements and using reserved pasta water to adjust sauce texture if necessary.
6. Culinary Presentation: Plate the dish with artistic precision. Garnish with chopped parsley and an optional Parmesan cheese dusting, creating a Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece that beckons to be savored.

Notes

• Enhance Pasta Cooking: Salt water generously and reserve starchy liquid for sauce adjustment, guaranteeing perfect pasta texture and sauce consistency.
• Maximize Chicken Flavor: Sear at high temperature with thorough seasoning, ensuring golden crispy exterior while maintaining internal juiciness and preventing dryness.
• Vegetable Precision: Cook asparagus to tender-crisp state, avoiding overcooking that leads to mushy texture; add artichoke hearts strategically for maximum flavor integration.
• Sauce Balancing Technique: Control cream sauce thickness by gradual simmering and strategic pasta water addition, creating smooth, silky consistency without separating or becoming too heavy.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 650
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg