Spinach Dip Chicken Pasta Recipe

This creamy, cheesy Spinach Dip Chicken Pasta is made with tender chicken, fresh spinach, and cream cheese, and ready in 30 minutes. Watching the mozzarella melt into strings as you stir the hot pasta into the bubbling garlic and spinach sauce is the best part. I find myself making this whenever I crave pure comfort food.

Why This Classic Works

Merging a popular party appetizer with a main course pasta seemed like a risk at first. I was worried the cream cheese would make the dish too heavy or cloying after a few bites.

I quickly learned that adding a splash of pasta water and a good dose of garlic balances the richness perfectly. It keeps the sauce glossy and prevents it from turning into a thick paste.

Spinach Dip Chicken Pasta Ingredients

• 8 oz penne pasta
• 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

How To Make Spinach Dip Chicken Pasta

1. Boil The Pasta: Cook the penne in heavily salted water according to package directions, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
2. Sear The Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then cook the seasoned diced chicken for 5-7 minutes until golden brown.
3. Make The Base: Lower the heat to medium, add the minced garlic and chopped spinach, and cook for 2 minutes until the spinach wilts.
4. Build The Sauce: Stir in the softened cream cheese, chicken broth, and parmesan, whisking gently until the sauce becomes smooth and bubbling.
5. Combine And Melt: Fold the cooked pasta into the skillet, sprinkle with mozzarella, and stir until the cheese is completely melted and stringy.

Recipe Tips

• Soften the cream cheese: Cold cream cheese will clump in the pan and refuse to blend smoothly with the broth.
• Save the pasta water: The starches in the reserved water help thin the thick sauce while keeping it perfectly emulsified.
• Wilt spinach slowly: Add the spinach in handfuls so it has space to cook down without steaming the chicken.

What To Serve With Spinach Dip Chicken Pasta

A crisp green salad dressed with a sharp vinaigrette cuts through the heavy, creamy sauce beautifully. Garlic bread is also a solid choice for wiping up any leftover cheese sauce from your plate.

How To Store

Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk or broth to loosen the cream cheese sauce. I do not recommend freezing this, as the dairy will separate.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen spinach? Yes, but you must thaw it completely and squeeze out all the excess water to prevent a watery sauce.
• Will chicken thighs work? Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a great substitute and stay very tender during cooking.
• What other pasta shapes are good? Rotini, cavatappi, or farfalle hold this thick cream sauce exceptionally well.
• Can I add artichokes? Chopped canned artichoke hearts make a great addition if you want a true spinach artichoke dip flavor.

Nutrition

• Calories: 580 kcal
• Total Fat: 32g
• Saturated Fat: 16g
• Cholesterol: 125mg
• Sodium: 650mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 38g
• Protein: 36g

Try More Recipes:

• Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu Dip Recipe
• Baked Chicken Parmesan Dip Recipe
• French Onion Dip Chicken Casserole Recipe
  

Spinach Dip Chicken Pasta

Recipe by Emily Mitchell

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Total time

30

minutes

Spinach Dip Chicken Pasta delivers creamy, cheesy comfort using fresh spinach, tender chicken breast, and rich cream cheese in just 30 minutes. It is an easy weeknight dinner that turns a favorite appetizer into a satisfying main course.

Ingredients

• 8 oz penne pasta

• 1 lb chicken breast, diced

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 4 cups fresh spinach, chopped

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 cup chicken broth

• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Directions

• 1. Boil The Pasta: Cook the penne in heavily salted water according to package directions, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
• 2. Sear The Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then cook the seasoned diced chicken for 5-7 minutes until golden brown.
• 3. Make The Base: Lower the heat to medium, add the minced garlic and chopped spinach, and cook for 2 minutes until the spinach wilts.
• 4. Build The Sauce: Stir in the softened cream cheese, chicken broth, and parmesan, whisking gently until the sauce becomes smooth and bubbling.
• 5. Combine And Melt: Fold the cooked pasta into the skillet, sprinkle with mozzarella, and stir until the cheese is completely melted and stringy.