Description
This Chicken Feta Spinach Pasta is a quick and flavorful meal combining tender chicken, fresh spinach, juicy little tomatoes, and salty feta cheese in a creamy sauce tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a wholesome, Mediterranean-inspired dish perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta
Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Sauce & Vegetables
- 1/3 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 (10.5 ounce) container little tomatoes, halved
- 1.5 cups fresh baby spinach, packed
- 3.5 ounces feta cheese, cubed and packed in oil and herbs
Optional Garnishes
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, dried oregano, and garlic powder. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the chicken is almost fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Make the sauce base: In the same skillet, add chicken broth, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Stir to dissolve the mustard and let the mixture simmer for about a minute to meld the flavors.
- Cook the tomatoes: Add the halved little tomatoes to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes start to break down and form a rich sauce.
- Reintroduce the chicken: Return the partially cooked chicken to the skillet. Heat through gently until the chicken is fully cooked but not overdone.
- Add spinach and feta: Stir in the fresh spinach and cubed feta cheese. Allow the spinach to wilt in the sauce, creating a creamy texture.
- Toss with pasta and serve: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together. You may add a little reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with red pepper flakes and freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Use pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.
- Choose feta packed in oil and herbs for added flavor.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- For a vegetarian version, omit chicken and increase spinach and tomatoes.
- Leftovers keep well for up to 2 days refrigerated, but spinach might wilt further.
