One-Pan Meals

If you’ve been searching for a hearty, creamy, and comforting pasta dinner that doesn’t leave your kitchen looking like a disaster zone, this recipe is about to be your new best friend. This one-pan creamy chicken and spinach pasta is ready in 30 minutes, uses simple ingredients, and delivers that restaurant-level flavor without the You’ll Love This Recipe One-pan magic – pasta, chicken, sauce, spinach—all cooked together. Less cleanup, more time to relax. Ready in 30 minutes – perfect for busy weeknights. Family-approved – picky eaters can’t resist creamy pasta. Nutritious upgrade – sneaky spinach adds greens without complaints. Year round favorite – comfort food you’ll crave year-round. This is exactly the type of meal that keeps American families coming back—quick, comforting, and endlessly adaptable. Ingredients Breakdown (with Substitutions) Swap: Chicken thighs for more flavor, or even rotisserie chicken to save time. Swap: Gluten-free pasta if needed, or spaghetti for a fun twist. Swap: Kale, arugula, or frozen spinach (just thaw + squeeze dry). Swap: Half-and-half for lighter sauce, or coconut milk for dairy-free. Hack: Use bouillon cubes if you don’t have broth. Swap: Pecorino Romano or even sharp white cheddar. Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions Step 1: Sear the Chicken Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan (worthy mention 👉 All-Clad Stainless Steel Sauté Pan is a kitchen workhorse).Cut chicken into bite-size pieces.Season with salt + pepper, then sear 3–4 minutes until golden. Remove and set aside. Step 2: Build the Base In the same pan, add garlic and a splash of olive oil. Sauté for 1 minute.Stir in chicken broth and cream. Step 3: Cook Pasta in the Sauce Add pasta directly to the pan.Cover and cook 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente. Step 4: Add Spinach + Chicken Stir spinach into the pasta—watch it wilt down.Return chicken to the pan. Step 5: Finish with Cheese Stir in Parmesan until sauce thickens and becomes silky. Taste, adjust salt/pepper, and add red pepper flakes if desired. Time & Budget Breakdown Cook time: 30 minutes Active prep: 10 minutes Servings: 4–6 Cost per serving: ~$3.25 (U.S. average) That’s cheaper than a Starbucks latte—and way more filling. Dietary Notes + Variations Gluten-Free ✅ – Use GF pasta. Low-Carb/Keto ✅ – Swap pasta for zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash. Dairy-Free ✅ – Use coconut milk + nutritional yeast instead of cream + cheese. Kid-Friendly ✅ – Cut spinach smaller so it blends in, and keep spice mild. Storage & Freezer Tips Fridge: Store leftovers in airtight container for 3 days. Freezer: Not ideal because cream sauces can separate—but you can freeze cooked chicken + pasta separately and add fresh cream when reheating. Reheat Tip: Add a splash of broth or milk when reheating to bring sauce back to life. Serving Ideas + Pairings This pasta is a full meal on its own, but you can elevate it with: Recommended Cookware  For creamy one-pan pastas, you need a pan that distributes heat evenly and doesn’t stick. I recommend the All-Clad Stainless Steel Sauté Pan . It’s large enough for family dinners and will last a lifetime. (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) FAQ Q: Can I use precooked chicken?Yes—just add it back in during the final few minutes to avoid overcooking. Q: Can I make this ahead?Yes, but store pasta and sauce separately for best texture. Q: Can I make it healthier?Swap cream for Greek yogurt or half-and-half, and load up on extra spinach. Q: What pasta shape works best?Short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or rotini holds the creamy sauce beautifully. Conclusion There you have it—one-pan creamy chicken and spinach pasta that’s easy, comforting, and guaranteed to make your weeknight smoother. With just 30 minutes and one pan, you’ll serve up a meal that tastes like you spent hours cooking. For more quick dinner inspiration, check out: Your 30-minute dinner rotation just got creamier. 🍝✨ { “@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “One-Pan Creamy Chicken and Spinach Pasta”, “description”: “A comforting, creamy chicken and spinach pasta made in one pan in just 30 minutes. Family-friendly and perfect for busy weeknights.”, “author”: { “@type”: “Person”, “name”: “Roxanne” }, “datePublished”: “2025-08-21”, “prepTime”: “PT10M”, “cookTime”: “PT20M”, “totalTime”: “PT30M”, “recipeYield”: “4-6 servings”, “recipeCategory”: “Dinner”, “recipeCuisine”: “American”, “keywords”: “one pan creamy chicken pasta, 30 minute chicken spinach pasta, creamy chicken and spinach pasta”, “recipeIngredient”: [ “1 lb chicken breast, cubed”, “12 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni)”, “4 cups fresh spinach”, “1 cup heavy cream”, “2 cups chicken broth”, “3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated”, “4 cloves garlic, minced”, “2 tbsp olive oil”, “Salt, pepper, red pepper flakes to taste” ], “recipeInstructions”: [ { “@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat olive oil in large sauté pan, sear chicken until golden. Remove.” }, { “@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In same pan, cook garlic until fragrant. Stir in broth and cream.” }, { “@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add pasta and cook until al dente (8–10 mins).” }, { “@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in spinach until wilted. Add chicken back.” }, { “@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in Parmesan until creamy. Serve hot.” } ], “nutrition”: { “@type”: “NutritionInformation”, “calories”: “420 calories”, “proteinContent”: “32 g”, “fatContent”: “18 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “38 g” } }