This creamy Chicken Florentine Pasta recipe is an easy and tasty weeknight recipe that the whole family will love. On the table in half an hour, this Italian-inspired dish comes together easily and is packed full of flavor. Make this easy pasta recipe for a fun and festive pasta party this Fall!
What’s in this Chicken Florentine Pasta Recipe?
This chicken florentine pasta recipe is so deliciously creamy and cheesy and so flavorsome. This really is a restaurant-quality dish that you would find in your favorite Italian. It’s so quick and easy to put together, what more could you ask for after a busy day?
- Pasta: I used penne, but another tubular or shaped pasta will work!
- Unsalted Butter: Helps the garlic and spinach cook without burning and adds a rich flavor.
- Garlic: Adds an earthy flavor to the dish.
- Baby Spinach: Makes this dish truly Florentine!
- Olive Oil: Helps the chicken cook without burning.
- Chicken: I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but thighs will also work.
- Salt + Pepper: Enhances the natural flavor of the chicken and the sauce.
- Oregano: Adds a spicy flavor to the chicken.
- White Wine: Helps deglaze the pan and adds balancing acidity to the sauce.
- Heavy Cream: Makes the sauce creamy and rich.
- Cheese: A combination of mozzarella, Parmesan, and reduced-fat cream cheese makes this dish super creamy and cheesy!
- Cayenne Pepper: Adds just a hint of spice to the dish.
- Breadcrumbs: Add a little bit of crunch!
Pro Tip: If you’re not a drinker, swap out the white wine for chicken broth!
Variations on Chicken Florentine Pasta
This delicious florentine pasta dish is so easy to change up. Try adding some mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, or goat cheese for a slightly different flavor. Or swap out the chicken for a different protein, like shrimp or sausage.
This dish consists of penne pasta and cooked chicken coated in a rich and creamy cheese sauce filled with spinach!
Although it sounds like this dish must be from Italy, Florentine actually refers to a traditional French sauce.
Florentine is a term in French cuisine that refers to a dish that includes cooked spinach, a protein, and a Mornay sauce, which is a cheese-based sauce.
This dish pairs well with bread, vegetables, and salad.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover chicken florentine in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a saucepan set over medium-low heat until warmed through.
I do not recommend freezing this dish, as the sauce has a tendency to separate once thawed.
Serving Suggestions
This florentine pasta is such a hearty dish, so keep it simple and serve it with some Dutch oven bread or garlic knots, roasted vegetables, and a spinach berry salad.
5-Star Review
“Love this recipe! So easy to make and my family completely polished off the pot!” – Stephanie
Chicken Florentine Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces dry penne pasta (1 box)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (¼ stick)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 6 ounces baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ cup white wine
- 2½ cups heavy cream
- 2 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ⅓ cup Panko breadcrumbs
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.16 ounces dry penne pasta
- Add the butter to a Dutch oven set over medium heat and allow it to melt.2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Add the garlic; cook and stir for 30 seconds. Add the spinach; cook and stir just until wilted, 1-2 minutes. Remove from pot and set aside.3 cloves garlic, 6 ounces baby spinach
- In the same pot, add the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season each side of each chicken breast with salt, pepper, and oregano. Cook on each side for approximately 8 minutes, or until fully cooked. Set aside and allow to rest for 5 minutes; slice into thin strips.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- In the same Dutch oven, add the white wine to deglaze the pan. After the wine is simmering, scrape all the chicken bits to the center; they hold a ton of flavor!½ cup white wine
- Add in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Slowly stir in the mozzarella, parmesan, and cream cheese. Stir in the salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Heat through until all the cheese is melted and smooth.2½ cups heavy cream, 2 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese, ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Add the pasta to the sauce, tossing to fully coat. Stir in the spinach mixture and the chicken. Sprinkle with the breadcrumbs. Serve immediately. Enjoy!⅓ cup Panko breadcrumbs
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
- Cook the pasta al-dente.
- Use free run / organic chicken if possible.
- You can substitute the white wine for grape juice or chicken stock if you prefer.
- Serve the pasta immediately while it’s hot and fresh.
- You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat once.
Nutrition Information
I don’t drink?? In this recipe it say use white wine? What else can I use instead of the white wine??
Hi Stella, you can use chicken stock!
Sooooo good! Fam loved it.
That’s awesome, Phil!
The recipe says 1 package of pasta is this a pound ?
Yes!
So yummy. Makes enough for a crowd!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing, Leigh!
Can I use another pasta besides penne in the Chicken Florentine Pasta?
You could essentially use any pasta you like!
Okay this pasta was so good. Now I want to have a pasta party!
A pasta party is always a good idea!!
This pasta was a huge hit! Everyone loved the flavors!
Yay! SO glad to hear everyone loved them!
Love this recipe! So easy to make and my family completely polished off the pot!
You know its good when there are no leftovers!!
Another winner in my house! Thank you!
Glad I could help!!
Made this for a family dinner and it was hit! We all loved it!
I’m happy to hear you all enjoyed!!