Description
A rich and flavorful one-pot Italian-inspired pasta dish with tender chicken, broccoli, and leafy greens in a smooth cream sauce. Perfect for stress-free weeknight cooking with minimal cleanup and maximum nutrition.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound diced chicken breast
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 cloves minced garlic
1 pound penne/fusilli/rigatoni pasta
2 cups broccoli florets
2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
8 ounces cream cheese
1 cup frozen peas
2 cups fresh spinach arugula or kale
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chicken and sauté 5 minutes until browned and halfway cooked.
Add onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Stir to coat chicken evenly.
Raise heat to medium-high, add garlic and sauté 1-2 minutes. Add chicken back to pot and stir.
Pour in milk and add cream cheese, stirring until fully melted and sauce is smooth.
Add broccoli, pasta and frozen peas to pot. Bring to simmer and cook 10-12 minutes as pasta absorbs liquid.
Stir in fresh spinach and cook 1-2 minutes until wilted. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Divide into 4 meals and serve immediately
Notes
Use sweet paprika for best flavor balance
For richer taste, use ghee instead of olive oil
Add lemon zest for freshness if desired
Can substitute Swiss chard for spinach
Store leftovers in air-tight containers up to 3 days in fridge
No pork/alcohol ingredients used. Recipe is halal-compliant
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Cooking (Stovetop)
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1 of 4 meal portions)
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1500mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 85mg