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Home / Poultry

Italian Chicken and Spinach Pasta

A cross between a pasta dish and a soup, this recipe has tender chicken, flavorful broth, and the wholesome goodness of spinach and white beans.

Erren Hart

|

last Updated:

10/21/2020
5 from 5 votes
Jump to Recipe
Serves: 4 servings
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Cook: 10 minutes mins
Italian Chicken Spinach Pasta in a bowl with grated cheese

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Easy 20-minute Italian Chicken and Spinach Pasta recipe – Chicken simmered in a delicious garlicky broth with white beans, spinach, and pasta.

Serve with warm garlic bread for a scrumptious Italian meal!

Italian Chicken and Spinach Pasta in a bowl with grated cheese
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Comfort In A Bowl!

I don’t know about you, but I’m in need of comfort food these days. A cross between a pasta dish and a soup, this recipe is just what I need on a dreary day.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Browning the chicken adds an extra depth of flavor.
  • Using frozen spinach and canned white beans makes it a pantry friendly recipe without fussy ingredients.
  • Adding the pasta to the pot when just about ready to serve, helps it stay al dente.

What Are The Best White Beans

In this recipe, I specify canned white beans instead of a certain variety. The reason being that any white bean will do.

In the US, you can use cannellini beans, great northern beans, navy beans, or pinto beans. In the UK, cannellini butter beans or haricot beans work too.

Chicken Thighs vs Breasts

For this recipe, I use chicken thighs, but my best friend who created the recipe uses breast meat. It’s a personal choice and I’ve provided instructions for both.

Top Tips

What Pasta: I use orzo for this recipe, but you could use any small pasta you prefer like tubetti, ditalini or small shells.

To make ahead, cook the pasta just before serving and add it to the re-warmed stock mixture. Adding it ahead of time will result in the pasta absorbing the stock and bloating.

How To Make Chicken Spinach Pasta

Start by browning the chicken on all sides. If using breast meat, remove it from the pan and set aside.

chicen browning in the pan

Add the garlic. I slice mine thin, but you can mince it.

garlic added to the pan with the chicken

Saute another minute being careful not to burn the garlic and then add the stock.

the stock added to the pan with the chicken and garlic

Add the frozen spinach and white beans.

The frozen spinach added to the pot with the stock mixture

Bring to a boil, cover, and lower the heat to low. Simmer 10-15 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta.

Orzo cooking in pot with water

Cook until the pasta is just underdone, drain, add to the stock mixture and cook until the pasta is done cooking

If using breast meat, return it to the pan when adding the pasta.

Serve hot with plenty of fresh grated parmesan cheese.

a big bowl of Italian Chicken and Spinach Pasta with grated cheese

Which Cheese

For this recipe (and most recipes), I call for Parmesan Cheese. The reason for this is it’s less salty than other Italian hard cheeses so there’s less chance of ruining the dish with salty cheese. Here’s a list of alternate choices:

  • Romano: Similar texture with a stronger tangy flavor.
  • Grana Padano: Same texture with nutty/fruity flavors.
  • Pecorino: Much saltier with similar texture and nutty flavors.

Tips For best Results

  • If using fresh spinach instead of frozen, add the spinach when adding the pasta and cook until wilted.
  • If you want to use breast meat, instead of browning just fully cook it, remove the chicken from the pan, and add it again when adding the pasta.
  • Don’t skip the cheese, it adds a creaminess to the dish and a lot of flavor.
  • Taste your grated cheese before seasoning. If it tastes salty season accordingly so you don’t ruin the dish.

Other Pasta Dishes You’ll Love

  • Spaghetti with Spinach Sauce
  • Cauliflower Pasta Sauce
  • Fettuccine Alfredo
  • Marinara Sauce
  • Roasted Vegetable Pasta

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Italian Chicken Spinach Pasta in a bowl with grated cheese

Recipe

Italian Chicken Spinach Pasta

A cross between a pasta dish and a soup, this recipe has tender chicken, flavorful broth, and the wholesome goodness of spinach and white beans.
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
Total Time: 20 minutes mins
Serves 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 lbs boneless chicken (thighs or breasts, cubed)
  • 6 cloves garlic (chopped or thin sliced)
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 10 oz frozen spinach (Leaf or chopped )
  • 15 oz white beans (canned)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
  • 1 lb Pasta
  • salt and pepper (to taste)
  • grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)

Instructions

  • Season your chicken with salt and pepper.
  • Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large saucepan or frying pan. Once hot brown the chicken on all sides and no more pink is visible. If Using breast meat remove from pan and set aside.
  • Add the garlic and cook another minute being careful not to burn.
  • Add the chicken stock, spinach, beans, and parsley
  • Increase the heat and bring to a boil. Cover, lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta.
  • Cook until the pasta is just underdone, drain, add to the stock mixture (if using breast meat, add it back into the pan too) and cook until the pasta is done cooking. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve with topped with plenty of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Tips

  • If using fresh spinach instead of frozen, add the spinach when adding the pasta and cook until wilted.
  • If you want to use breast meat, instead of browning just fully cook it, remove the chicken from the pan, and add it again when adding the pasta.
  • Don’t skip the cheese, it adds a creaminess to the dish and a lot of flavor.
  • Taste your grated cheese before seasoning. If it tastes salty season accordingly so you don’t ruin the dish.
Show Nutrition Hide Nutrition

Nutrition

Calories: 972 | Carbohydrates: 124g | Protein: 82g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 152mg | Sodium: 674mg | Potassium: 2215mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 8547IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 240mg | Iron: 8mg
Created by Erren Hart
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5 from 5 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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9 responses

  1. Patty Dayton Avatar
    Patty Dayton
    10/27/2024

    I am anxious to try this recipe but have a couple of questions first – are the canned beans drained before they’re added, and can the pasta be cooked together with the chicken/chicken stock, spinach, beans, and parsley mixture?

    Thank you!
    Patty D.

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      10/29/2024

      Great questions! Yes, you’ll want to drain the canned beans before adding them to the dish. As for cooking the pasta with the chicken, stock, spinach, beans, and parsley mixture—it’s best to cook the pasta separately and then add it toward the end as directed. This helps prevent the pasta from overcooking and soaking up too much of the broth, so you still get that delicious, slightly soupy consistency. Enjoy the recipe, and I hope it turns out wonderfully! 😊

      Reply
  2. Barbara Avatar
    Barbara
    04/01/2021

    I made this with spaghetti – super quick and easy. Will definitely make it again!

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      04/01/2021

      I’m delighted to hear you liked it so much! 🙂

      Reply
  3. nancy Avatar
    nancy
    01/25/2021

    I love this recipe! I what to try it with my grandkids!
    What pasta is best?

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      01/25/2021

      Hi Nancy. I’d use whatever they like best! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
    Erren’s Kitchen
    06/11/2020

    Thank you Joey

    Reply
  5. Rob Avatar
    Rob
    05/07/2020

    Will definitely try,Having lost my wife it’s hard to bother doing anything interesting but this i will try and let you no how it was thanks

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      05/08/2020

      Oh Rob, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. If you make the recipe I hope you enjoy it.

      Reply
A woman with long dark hair and a dark blue shirt is smiling while leaning on a kitchen counter. In front of her are a plate of pasta and a cutting board with chopped herbs. A potted plant, a cooking pot, and a marble backsplash are in the background.

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