Hi there, food lover! 👋
Are you ready to bring a taste of Tuscany into your kitchen? 🇮🇹✨ Today, we’ll dive into a heartwarming, traditional dish that has stood the test of time—Chicken Florentine Pasta. This creamy, comforting recipe combines tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and the rich goodness of spinach with a luscious sauce that hugs every bite. 🍝🍗🥬
Florentine-style dishes, rooted in the Italian city of Florence, often feature spinach and cream—two beloved ingredients that balance indulgence with a touch of earthiness. This pasta is no exception! Imagine sitting down to a rustic wooden table, a bowl of this creamy pasta steaming in front of you, with the aromas of garlic, Parmesan, and butter filling the air. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug after a long day. ❤️
Whether you’re cooking for family dinner, a cozy date night, or simply craving a soul-soothing plate of pasta, this recipe delivers every time. Simple, elegant, and deeply satisfying—it’s Italian comfort food at its finest. Ready to roll up your sleeves and cook like a Florentine? Let’s get started! 👩🍳🍷
Ingredients:
For the Pasta & Chicken:
- 12 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni work best)
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced thin)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Creamy Florentine Sauce:
- 2 cups fresh spinach (baby spinach preferred)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional, traditional Florentine touch)
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick 🌶️)
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese 🧀
Step-by-Step Directions:
- Cook the pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add your pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. - Prepare the chicken:
While pasta cooks, season chicken slices generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until golden brown on both sides (about 3–4 minutes each side). Remove and set aside. - Make the base for the sauce:
In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Pour in chicken broth and scrape up the brown bits from the pan—this adds rich flavor. - Build the creamy sauce:
Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, and nutmeg. Simmer gently until sauce thickens (5–7 minutes). If it gets too thick, add reserved pasta water, a splash at a time. - Add the spinach:
Toss in fresh spinach leaves and let them wilt into the sauce. Stir well to combine. 🌿 - Bring it all together:
Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Add drained pasta and toss until everything is coated in the creamy Florentine sauce. Adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes. - Serve and enjoy:
Plate your pasta, sprinkle with parsley and extra Parmesan, and serve warm. Pair with crusty bread and a glass of white wine for a truly Tuscan experience. 🍷🍴
Nutritional Information:
⏰ Prep Time: 10 minutes
🔥 Cooking Time: 25 minutes
⏳ Total Time: 35 minutes
⚡ Calories per serving: ~480
🍽️ Servings: 4
#️⃣ #ItalianComfortFood #ChickenFlorentinePasta #PastaNight #TraditionalRecipes #SpinachLovers #HomemadeWithLove
Bon appétit and happy cooking! 👩🍳🍽️
