Description
This easy Chicken Florentine Pasta is a creamy, comforting dish made without heavy cream! Tender chicken, fresh spinach, and a silky Parmesan sauce come together in just 30 minutes. Perfect for cozy weeknights or an elegant dinner for two — it’s light, flavorful, and so satisfying.
Ingredients
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
¼ cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup dry white wine (optional, or use extra broth)
¾ cup chicken broth (low sodium)
2 cups fresh spinach leaves
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
8 ounces pasta (fettuccine, penne, or similar)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Prep the chicken: Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Dredge lightly in flour, shaking off excess.
Sear: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 4–5 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Sauté aromatics: Add garlic to the pan and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Deglaze: Pour in wine (or extra broth) to deglaze the pan, scraping up brown bits. Let it simmer for 1–2 minutes.
Make the sauce: Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Gradually whisk in Parmesan until smooth. Stir in nutmeg.
Combine: Return chicken to the pan with cooked pasta. Toss until coated. Add spinach and stir just until wilted.
Serve: Top with extra Parmesan and black pepper. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
No wine? Use more broth plus a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
Make ahead: Cook chicken and sauce separately; combine with fresh pasta before serving.
Storage: Refrigerate up to 3 days. Add a splash of broth when reheating.
Cheese tip: Freshly grated Parmesan melts best; skip the pre-shredded version.
Optional add-ins: Sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, or cream cheese for extra richness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: diner idea
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
