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Quick Garlic Brown Butter Chicken Pasta Recipe with Spinach

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A quick and easy pasta dish featuring tender chicken, fresh spinach, and a rich garlic brown butter sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe combines simple ingredients for a comforting and delicious meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) pasta (penne or fusilli recommended)
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter
  • 4 large garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 4 cups (about 120g) fresh spinach, roughly chopped or whole leaves
  • ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup (120ml) pasta water before draining. Drain pasta and set aside.
  2. Prepare the chicken: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Make the brown butter garlic sauce: Lower heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet and melt, swirling occasionally. When butter foams and turns golden brown with a nutty aroma (3-4 minutes), add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add spinach: Toss in fresh spinach and stir continuously until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if pan looks dry to help steam spinach and loosen sauce.
  5. Combine pasta and chicken: Return chicken to skillet. Add drained pasta and toss gently. Pour in reserved pasta water as needed to coat pasta and create a silky sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes to combine flavors.
  6. Finish with lemon and Parmesan: Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice and grated Parmesan cheese. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
  7. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh herbs if available.

Notes

Watch the butter closely to avoid burning; add garlic immediately after butter browns. Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Cook chicken evenly without overcrowding the pan. Wilt spinach gently to avoid mushiness. For gluten-free, use chickpea or brown rice pasta; for dairy-free, use vegan butter and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic brown butter chicken pasta, quick chicken pasta, spinach pasta, easy weeknight dinner, brown butter sauce, garlic pasta, chicken pasta recipe

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/quick-garlic-brown-butter-chicken-pasta-recipe-with-spinach-easy-and-delicious/