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Chicken, Spinach, and Pasta

By Andi of Longmeadow Farm on November 06, 2008

Photo by AZPARZYCH

8 Reviews

Prep Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Servings: 4

Photo by AZPARZYCH

About This Recipe

"As "Daisy Mae", (one of our mother cow's) ran beside me on the other side of the fence, softly reminding that I needed to get her fresh grain, I looked at her very sweet face, the twinkle in her eye, and was doubly reminded I also need to get home, and swiftly too. I needed to get some type of great tasting chow on the table to feed the family as they were about to start streaming in through the back door at any moment. A wonderful, simple treat of a dish to enjoy sitting down next to your dog or cat, and just letting this dish take you away from the worry and stress of the world."

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
24 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper ( can use more or not at all)
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 large red onion, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 bunch fresh spinach ( can use frozen)
1 cup penne pasta ( cooked)

Directions

Heat oven to 400°F.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Rub the chicken with the cumin, cayenne, and salt. Toss in skillet and cook until browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a baking sheet and roast until cooked through, 6 to 7 minutes.
While skillet is warmed add medium heat and add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring, until soft, 5 minutes.
If frozen cook spinach in microwave till warmed. If fresh add spinach directly to the skillet along with salt and pepper to taste. Cook, tossing, until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes.
Add pasta in with vegetables warming them, and you can either toss the chicken in with this, or serve the chicken separately.

Private Note

No Notes

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 (356 g)

Servings Per Recipe: 4

Amount Per Serving: %
Calories 393.4
Calories from Fat 110: 28%

Amount Per Serving: %
Total Fat 12.2g: 18%
Saturated Fat 2.0g: 10%
Cholesterol 108.8mg: 36%
Sugars 3.2 g
Sodium 378.0mg: 15%
Total Carbohydrate 29.5g: 9%
Dietary Fiber 6.1g: 24%
Sugars 3.2 g: 12%
Protein 41.3g: 82%

Reviews

"This was very good and not bad for you at all! I didn't use olive oil, just sprayed the pan with cooking spray. I used an orange pepper since that was all that I had left and seasoned the chicken with fresh-cracked pepper rather than the cayenne. The chicken came out so juice and flavorful and not at all over cooked, went well with the pasta and veggies and I didn't miss any sort of cream sauce on the pasta. Will be making this again! Made for Spring PAC 2013."

By AZPARZYCH on April 08, 2013 | 1379157
"I enjoyed this recipe and the meal it made very much. DH thought it was good. It did seem like it was lacking some "something". I will make this again as the flavors with the pasta reminded me of a warmed summer pasta salad, fresh on the tongue. I think next time and there will be a next time, I will add some garlic or lemon, or something to it while cooking the veggies. The chicken was wonderful and I do have some left to make a nice lunch plate for tomorrow. Made for AUS/NZ Swap 48. Thank you ANDI!"

By Chef1MOM~Connie on January 10, 2011 | 1180767
"Great, easy, healthy. With so little seasoning, the flavors of the food are highlighted. I added more spinach and pasta, and added grape tomatoes, cut in half, after adding the spinach. I cut up the chicken and mixed it with everything. It was very good the next day, too. Thanks, Jan"

By stgmngrjan on June 17, 2010 | 1117635
"5 stars for a healthy meal that doesn't sacrifice on flavor. I confess that the write-up is what had me look at this recipe above the others that came up on my search. I used 1 lb. pasta to feed my family of 6 and added a can of mushrooms and a clove of garlic. I also cooked the chicken breasts in a covered frying pan instead of the oven. I was looking for a creamy pasta sauce using spinach and this definitely isn't creamy, but is delicious! Thanks for posting."

By Savvy Sewlal on March 11, 2010 | 1067556
"Bf said this looked good and asked me what it was. He took a bite and said, "Hmm, pretty good." Then he took more bites and said, "Mm, this IS good!" My chicken breasts weren't large, but they did take an extra 6 mins after the original 7 mins. I followed this recipe exactly, using prepacked baby spinach and more penne. I had some leftover regular penne and cooked up some whole wheat penne too. The chicken was flavorful, tender and went so well with the rest. The combo of spinach, red onion and red pepper was awesome with the penne. Colorful and healthy dish! I served the chicken sliced on top of the penne mixture. Bf wanted more chicken! Made for Please Review My Recipe tag game. Thank you for sharing Andi, this was wonderful and I will make it again for sure! :D"

By blancpage on February 23, 2009 | 816146
"I absolutely love this dish. It is so quick and the taste is just outstanding. The combination of vegetables make this recipe so flavorful and it's good for you, too, which is a big plus. I followed the recipe exactly. I think I might add more fresh spinach next time cause I love it. I served this to one family member with the chicken on the side of the pasta. Then I added the rest of the chicken, cut into strips, and tossed it with the vegetables and pasta. I love how the flavors of the chicken seasonings combine with the pasta and vegetables. Thanks for another wonderful recipe, Andi."

By Lainey6605 on January 20, 2009 | 793042
"Wonderful, not only in taste but preparation as well. The only change that was made, I used slightly more pasta than suggested to make it stretch a bit more. I also used fresh spinach. :)"

By Lori Mama on December 02, 2008 | 758706
"Another hit from Andi! This was really delicious and went together very quickly. I made a few really minor tweaks: yellow pepper for red (prefer the color & taste), more spinach (1 largeish bag) and less onion, mini-penne instead of large, and paprika instead of cayenne (last 3 were to make it more DS-friendly). Also, the directions didn't say what to do with the penne, so I tossed it with the veggie mixture when it was about done cooking, then served that alongside the chicken breast (I used 3 boneless skinless breasts). DS (age 4) was so-so on the veggie mixture--he really doesn't like onions at all! But he did very well with the chicken, and DH and I loved it all! Thanks so much for posting, Andi! Made for Holiday Tag."

By Halcyon Eve on November 25, 2008 | 754137