High-Protein Marry Me Chicken & Spinach Penne Skillet

High-Protein Marry Me Chicken & Spinach Penne Skillet is a delicious and protein-rich dish. It is made with penne pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, chicken broth, Greek yogurt, parmesan cheese, chicken, cream cheese, and seasonings. These simple items are easily findable in the markets. This dish is prepared in 40 minutes, which means it is good for a quick meal. High-Protein Marry Me Chicken & Spinach Penne Skillet is good to prepare in advance, as it stores and reheats nicely. This dish contains dairy items, so use the vegan ones if required. Serve it with Cesar salad, garlic bread, and grilled shrimp.

STATS:

No of calories: 485 kcal
Prep Duration: 15 minutes
Portion size: 1 bowl
Duration for cooking: 25 minutes
Cuisine: American-Italian
Total time: 40 minutes
Course: Dinner
Diet: High-Protein
Serving: 4 servings

EQUIPMENT:

Deep skillet
Pasta pot
Colander
Cutting board
Wooden spoon
Knife

INGREDIENTS:

12 oz. high-protein penne pasta
2 chicken breasts
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
One tsp. Italian seasoning
½ tsp. paprika
4 cloves of garlic
2 cups spinach
Half cup sun-dried tomatoes
One cup low-sodium chicken broth
¾ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
Salt
½ cup light cream cheese
Black pepper
¾ cup parmesan cheese
½ tsp. red pepper flakes
2 tbsp. basil

INGREDIENT NOTES:

HIGH-PROTEIN PENNE PASTA:

It will enhance the protein in this pasta skillet and also make the dish more flavorful. Regular whole wheat pasta is best to use if required. Cook it just soft to provide a nice texture.

CHICKEN BREAST:

It is best to use the chicken breast to enhance the protein in the dish. Cut the chicken into bite-sized cubes so it cooks fast and equally.

OLIVE OIL:

It is utilized to cook the chicken and also to make the rich and indulgent dish.

GARLIC POWDER:

Garlic powder will enhance the savory flavor of the chicken, and it blends nicely with the creamy sauce components.

ITALIAN SEASONING:

It will add the real Italian taste to the dish. Use the store-bought or make it at home by combining the oregano, thyme, basil, and rosemary to provide the deep flavor.

FRESH GARLIC:

Garlic is utilized to add a rich and aromatic base to the sauce and tossed softly so they don’t burn.

PAPRIKA POWDER:

Use the paprika powder to provide a light, warm taste and color in chicken.

SALT & BLACK PEPPER:

Season the chicken with the black pepper and salt to provide balance in the dish. It is best to use freshly black pepper for a strong flavor.

SUN-DRIED TOMATOES:

It is used to provide the tangy and sweet taste along with a strong tomato flavor. Oil-packed tomatoes are best used as they are soft and tasty.

FRESH SPINACH:

It will add a fresh taste and color, and also make the dish healthier. It wilts quickly in the hot pan.

CHICKEN BROTH:

Use the chicken broth to make the taste sauce without adding much salt. It preserve the consistency of the sauce.

GREEK YOGURT:

It will help to add creaminess, add protein, and make the dish light. It is best to use the neutral temperature yogurt so it doesn’t curdle.

LIGHT CREAM CHEESE:

It will make the sauce indulgent and silky, and use the soft cream cheese so it mixes smoothly with the sauce.

PARMESAN CHEESE:

It is best to use the fresh Parmesan grates as they melt well and mix smoothly and it makes the dish flavorful.

RED PEPPER FLAKES:

Red pepper flakes are used to make the dish spices and also balance the rich taste of the creamy sauce. Add the flakes as you like.

FRESH BASIL:

Add the basil in the end to provide a bright and fresh taste. It pairs nicely with this sauce.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Take a big pot and boil the pasta as it is written on the box.
Drain the water and put them aside.
Add the seasoning to the chicken and mix well.
Include the oil in skillet and warm it on the medium setting.
Include the chicken and cook it for 6 to 8 minutes till golden and cooked properly, then put them aside.
Include the garlic & sundried tomatoes in same pan & cook for 1-2 minutes till they get aromatic.
Then include the chicken broth and mix well, and scrape the brown bits if any.
Now, low the flame & stir the cream cheese to make it smooth.
Then include the parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, and Red pepper flakes and stir well till it gets creamy.
Then mix the spinach and cook till it wilts.
Now include the chicken back with the pasta and stir to coat.
Then cook the dish on low flame for 2-3 minutes so it gets lightly thick.
Add the basil & Parmesan cheese and serve.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

SALAD:

Caesar Salad
Italian Chopped Salad
Arugula Parmesan Salad
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Caprese Salad

VEGETABLES:

Roasted Broccoli
Garlic Green Beans
Lemon Asparagus
Sautéed Zucchini
Honey Glazed Carrots

BREAD:

Garlic Bread
Cheesy Breadsticks
Herb Focaccia
Toasted Ciabatta
Parmesan Knots

PROTEIN:

Grilled Shrimp
Turkey Meatballs
Italian Sausage
Crispy Chickpeas
Garlic Salmon Bites

SOUPS:

Tomato Basil Soup
Minestrone Soup
Roasted Red Pepper Soup
Chicken Vegetable Soup

DRINK:

Sparkling Lemon Water
Peach Iced Tea
Citrus Spritzer
Strawberry Mocktail
Cucumber Mint Cooler

DESSERT:

Tiramisu
Lemon Sorbet
Vanilla Panna Cotta
Chocolate Mousse
Berry Parfait

TIPS:

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is good to provide the smooth texture of the sauce.
Save a small quantity of pasta water to keep the consistency if required.
Use the neutral temperature Greek yogurt, and then mix it in the pan.
Avoid boiling the sauce after the yogurt addition, or it will separate.
Include the additional spinach to make the dish healthy, and it also adds bulk.
Add the crushed red pepper flakes to make the spicy dish.

STORAGE INFORMATION:

Add the dish to the closed vessel.

FRIDGE:

Store the chicken for four days.

FREEZER:

Add the chicken to the portion size vessel and store for 2 months.

FAQs:

Will I make the dish with rotisserie chicken?

Yes, shred the rotisserie chicken and add it in the end of cooking in the sauce.

Can I prepare the gluten-free dish?

Yes, use the gluten-free ingredient for this purpose.

What to use instead of Greek yogurt?

Use the cottage cheese or sour cream instead to make this dish.

Will I include some additional vegetables in the dish?

Yes, add the zucchini, mushroom, broccoli, or bell pepper to the pan, as they work well.

Is this dish good for prepping a meal?

Yes, this dish rewarms nicely and provides a good amount of protein.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

Calories: 485 kcal

Net carbs: 31 g

Iron: 2.8 g

Total carbs: 36 g

Vitamin A: 0.6 g

Fiber: 5 g

Serving: 4

Calcium: 0.35 g

Protein: 42 g

Sodium: 0.68 g

Serving size: 1 bowl

Potassium: 0.82 g