If you’ve been searching high and low for a rich yet easy weeknight meal, I’m excited to share a fan-freaking-tastic Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta Recipe that I absolutely love. It combines tender chicken, vibrant spinach, and luscious cheese sauce all tossed with pasta – a combo that’s both comforting and fresh. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through every step to make this dish a guaranteed winner in your kitchen.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: Ready in just about 30 minutes, perfect for busy evenings when you want comfort food without fuss.
Rich, Creamy Sauce: Homemade parmesan sauce that’s silky and indulgent, yet not heavy or overwhelming.
Balanced Flavors: Fresh spinach adds a bright, healthy contrast to the creamy chicken and pasta.
Family Friendly: My family goes crazy for this and it’s perfect for both adults and kiddos alike.

The image shows a pot filled with creamy pasta. The pasta is penne, which is light beige and mixed in a thick white sauce. There are pieces of green spinach evenly spread throughout the pasta, adding small color spots. The sauce looks smooth and coats the pasta well. A metal spoon is partially inside the pot, lifting some pasta. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta, Easy Chicken Pasta Recipes, Weeknight Pasta Dinner, Creamy Pasta with Spinach and Chicken, Quick Cheese Pasta Dishes

Ingredients You’ll Need

I’ve found that the beauty of this Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta Recipe lies in the simplicity of its ingredients – quality basics that come together beautifully. Here’s a quick note: using fresh spinach and good parmesan makes a big difference, so don’t skip those little upgrades.

Flat lay of a mound of uncooked penne pasta, a small pat of unsalted butter, two whole uncracked brown garlic bulbs, a small white ceramic bowl with all purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fresh whole milk, a small white ceramic bowl with a few dollops of cream cheese, a small pile of shredded parmesan cheese, a portion of cooked shredded chicken breast, a small heap of fresh lightly chopped spinach leaves, and a small white ceramic bowl with clear pasta cooking water, all arranged in perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta, Easy Chicken Pasta Recipes, Weeknight Pasta Dinner, Creamy Pasta with Spinach and Chicken, Quick Cheese Pasta Dishes

Pasta: Penne works wonderfully here because the sauce clings nicely in the tubes, but feel free to use your favorite shape.
Unsalted butter: Using unsalted gives you control over seasoning the sauce perfectly.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic brings that warm aroma that makes this dish irresistible.
All-purpose flour: It’s what thickens the sauce to creamy perfection.
Milk: Whole milk is best for richness, but 2% works too if you want something lighter.
Cream cheese (optional): This adds extra creaminess and depth, but you can skip it if you prefer a lighter sauce.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly shredded makes a huge difference—grated pre-packaged just won’t give you the same flavor.
Cooked shredded chicken: Perfect for a quick protein boost, and you can easily swap in rotisserie chicken.
Fresh spinach: Adds vibrant color and nutrients—don’t worry, it wilts down nicely so you get lots in every bite.
Reserved pasta water: A little magic that thins out the sauce and helps it cling to the pasta.
Salt and pepper: To taste—seasoning is everything!

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile this Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta Recipe is—once you master the basics, you can personalize it to suit your tastes or what’s in your fridge. Here are a few of my favorite twists that I’m sure you’ll enjoy experimenting with.

Vegetarian version: I swap cooked chicken for mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for a hearty meatless meal.
Spicy twist: Adding crushed red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce gives the creamy sauce an exciting kick.
Greens swap: Sometimes I use kale or arugula instead of spinach—both add a different texture and flavor.
Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta and a gluten-free flour blend for thickening and you’re good to go.

How to Make Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Cook Your Pasta Perfectly

Start by boiling your pasta in well-salted water until just al dente—the texture should be firm with a little bite. It’s important not to overcook here because the pasta will continue to absorb sauce later. Remember to reserve about half a cup of that starchy pasta water before draining; this little trick helps you get the silky sauce consistency we’re after.

Step 2: Build the Creamy Base

Put the pot back on medium heat and melt the butter. Toss in the minced garlic and let it sauté until fragrant, roughly two minutes—this builds the foundational flavor. Next, whisk in the flour and cook for another minute to eliminate any raw flour taste. Pour in the milk slowly while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. It may thicken quickly at first and then loosen up—that’s totally normal. Let it cook and thicken for about six minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 3: Add the Good Stuff

Stir in your cooked shredded chicken and fresh spinach—watch as that spinach wilts down beautifully, adding fresh vibrancy. If you’re using cream cheese, add it now and stir until it melts smoothly into the sauce, making it extra indulgent. Turn off the heat and fold in the parmesan cheese. This timing ensures the cheese melts gently without clumping.

Step 4: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Return the cooked pasta to your sauce and stir well to coat every piece. Add reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time until you reach that perfect creamy, smooth texture—don’t rush, texture can vary based on the pasta and sauce thickness. Now’s the moment to taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Then, serve it up immediately for the best flavor and texture.

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Pro Tips for Making Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta Recipe

Don’t Skip the Pasta Water: That starchy water is a game-changer for sauce texture—reserve enough, even extra if you plan to double the recipe.
Use Fresh Parmesan: I learned this trick the hard way—fresh cheese melts better and flavors the sauce more vividly than pre-grated stuff.
Watch the Sauce Thickness: Sauce will thicken as it cools, so leave it slightly looser on the stove if serving immediately.
Avoid Overcooking Chicken: Use pre-cooked, shredded chicken to keep it tender rather than drying it out with prolonged cooking.

How to Serve Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta Recipe

A white bowl filled with creamy pasta, showing three main layers: the bottom layer is light yellow penne pasta, the middle layer is green spinach pieces mixed evenly, and the top layer has thinly shaved pale yellow cheese slices scattered over the pasta. The pasta looks soft and coated in a white creamy sauce. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface next to a red and white striped cloth. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta, Easy Chicken Pasta Recipes, Weeknight Pasta Dinner, Creamy Pasta with Spinach and Chicken, Quick Cheese Pasta Dishes

Garnishes

I usually top this pasta with an extra sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan and cracked black pepper for a nice little kick. Sometimes, adding a few red pepper flakes or chopped fresh herbs like parsley or basil elevates it even more, making the dish feel restaurant-quality at home.

Side Dishes

On the side, I like to keep it simple with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables—think garlic roasted broccoli or a fresh Caesar salad. Garlic bread or warm dinner rolls are perfect if you want to turn it into a fuller, comforting meal experience.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I sometimes scoop the creamy pasta into individual ramekins and broil with a sprinkle of extra parmesan and breadcrumbs until golden and bubbly. It adds a delightful crunch and makes serving individual portions effortless and fancy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The pasta does soak up some sauce but stirring in a splash of milk or reserved pasta water when reheating helps bring it back to life.

Freezing

This Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta freezes well—just be sure to cool it completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. When thawed, the texture might shift slightly, so gently reheat on low and add a bit of milk or broth to restore creaminess.

Reheating

I prefer to reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding reserved pasta water or a splash of milk as needed to keep the sauce creamy and prevent it from drying out. Microwaving works too—just heat in short intervals, stirring in between.

FAQs

Can I use different types of pasta in this recipe?

Absolutely! While penne works beautifully here because the sauce clings well, you can use any pasta shape you like such as fusilli, farfalle, or even spaghetti. Just adjust the cooking time to the package instructions and be sure to reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce.
Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! To make this dairy-free, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and use a dairy-free milk such as oat or almond milk. You can replace cream cheese and parmesan with vegan cheese options or nutritional yeast for that cheesy flavor.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

You can cook the sauce and chicken ahead, but I recommend cooking the pasta fresh to avoid it becoming mushy. If prepping fully ahead, keep pasta and sauce separate and combine just before serving.
What’s the best way to shred chicken for this recipe?

Using cooked rotisserie chicken works perfectly. I like to shred it by hand or with two forks for a rustic texture that integrates well into the sauce, giving bursts of tender chicken in every bite.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta Recipe quickly became one of my go-to meals when I want something satisfying without hours in the kitchen. It’s creamy, comforting, and brightened with fresh spinach, making it a balanced dinner the whole family enjoys. If you’re craving a dish that brings together ease and flavor effortlessly, I genuinely recommend giving this recipe a try—you’ll find it as much of a keeper as I do.