Description
Chicken Feta Spinach Pasta is a quick, flavorful dinner combining tender chicken, creamy plant-based feta, and fresh spinach. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pot pasta dish features wholesome ingredients with balanced tangy and savory flavors, perfect for busy weeknights and family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
Vegetables & Greens
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Pasta & Liquids
- 8 ounces penne or fusilli pasta
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Cheese & Seasoning
- 1 cup crumbled feta (plant-based) cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon natural gelling agent
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add diced chicken breasts. Cook until lightly browned and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Set aside once done, leaving any flavorful bits in the pan.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook until soft and fragrant, around 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add Liquids and Pasta: Pour vegetable broth, apple cider vinegar, and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural) into the pan. Stir in the uncooked pasta and a pinch of salt. Bring to a low boil to start cooking the pasta right in the sauce.
- Incorporate Spinach and Chicken: Once the pasta is about halfway done, add fresh spinach leaves on top and cover with a lid so they steam and wilt nicely. After the spinach softens, stir in the cooked chicken pieces.
- Finish with Feta and Natural Gelling Agent: Reduce heat and sprinkle in the crumbled feta (plant-based) cheese, stirring gently to combine. Add a small amount of natural gelling agent to thicken the sauce slightly, allowing it to cook for another few minutes until rich and creamy.
Notes
- Use fresh spinach and good-quality feta (plant-based) for best flavor and texture.
- Cook pasta al dente to avoid mushiness.
- Don’t skip vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural) and apple cider vinegar for subtle complexity.
- Add vegetable broth gradually to control sauce consistency.
- Let pasta rest off heat for a minute to thicken and blend flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot Cooking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: chicken pasta, plant-based feta, spinach pasta, quick dinner, one pot meal, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, healthy pasta, weeknight dinner
