Creamy Rotisserie Chicken & Spinach Pasta

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This creamy rotisserie chicken pasta recipe uses Gruyère cheese and cream cheese as the base for the velvety sauce. Gruyère adds a rich and nutty flavor, although you can experiment with alternatives like Cheddar or Swiss cheese. We love the ease of using baby spinach, but feel free to swap it out for another leafy green like kale or Swiss chard if you have them on hand.

a recipe photo of the Creamy Rotisserie Chicken & Spinach Pasta
Photo:

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Active Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
8
the ingredients to make the Creamy Rotisserie Chicken & Spinach Pasta

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

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Ingredients

  • 12 ounces whole-wheat penne

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 cup thinly sliced yellow onion

  • 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided

  • 12 cups loosely packed baby spinach

  • 2 medium cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 cup half-and-half

  • 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese

  • 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, softened

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper, plus more for garnish

  • 3 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus more for garnish

Directions

  1. Bring water to a boil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water; drain well. Wipe the pot clean.

  2. Heat oil in the pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring often, until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add spinach and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is bright green and wilted, 3 to 4 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add half-and-half, Gruyère, cream cheese, mustard, lemon zest, lemon juice, crushed red pepper, black pepper and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring constantly, until the cheese is melted and the mixture is mostly smooth, about 2 minutes.

    a photo of the alf-and-half, Gruyère, cream cheese, mustard, lemon zest, lemon juice, crushed red pepper, black pepper and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt added to the wilted spinach

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

  3. Stir in the pasta, chicken and parsley, adding the reserved cooking water, 2 tablespoons at a time, if needed, to keep the sauce loose and creamy. Cook until the pasta and chicken are coated and warmed through, about 1 minute. Divide among 8 bowls; garnish with additional parsley and black pepper, if desired.

    a photo of the pasta, chicken, and garnish added

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: 1 1/4 cups

Calories 443, Fat 21g, Saturated Fat 9g, Cholesterol 96mg, Carbohydrates 38g, Total Sugars 4g, Added Sugars 0g, Protein 28g, Fiber 6g, Sodium 710mg, Potassium 272mg

EatingWell.com, February 2024

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