Description
This easy Chicken Feta Spinach Pasta combines tender chicken breast, creamy plant-based feta, and fresh spinach with perfectly cooked pasta for a vibrant, wholesome, and comforting meal. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers a delightful balance of savory and tangy flavors that makes it a family-friendly favorite perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
Cheese and Dairy Alternatives
- 1 cup plant-based feta, crumbled
Vegetables
- 4 cups fresh spinach, washed
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Pasta
- 12 oz gluten-free penne or fusilli pasta
Liquids and Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (natural)
Seasonings
- Black pepper, to taste
- Sea salt, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Chop the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Wash fresh spinach thoroughly. Mince the garlic cloves finely. Crumble the plant-based feta into small chunks to help it melt later.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken pieces, season with sea salt and black pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Spinach: In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil if needed. Add minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds to release aroma. Then add fresh spinach and cook until wilted and tender, about 2-3 minutes.
- Cook the Pasta: While spinach is cooking, boil gluten-free pasta in salted water until al dente according to package instructions. Drain, reserving half a cup of the pasta water to adjust sauce later.
- Combine and Finish: Return cooked chicken to the skillet with spinach. Add cooked pasta, crumbled plant-based feta, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), chicken broth, and lemon juice (natural). Toss gently, adding reserved pasta water gradually to create a creamy sauce that coats the pasta evenly.
Notes
- Use room temperature plant-based feta to help it melt smoothly into the dish.
- Do not overcook spinach; sauté until just wilted to retain color and nutrients.
- Reserve some pasta water to achieve a luscious, creamy sauce texture.
- Season gradually with salt and black pepper towards the end to avoid over-seasoning.
- Chop chicken pieces evenly to ensure consistent cooking and tender bites.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: chicken, pasta, plant-based feta, spinach, quick dinner, healthy meal, gluten-free pasta, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), weeknight recipe
