High protein Creamy Chicken & Spinach Pasta

This creamy chicken and spinach pasta is an easy, high-protein meal that's perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.

Looking for a quick, healthy, and satisfying meal? This Creamy Chicken & Spinach Pasta is packed with lean protein, fresh vegetables, and a rich, creamy sauce made with light cream cheese for a healthier twist. It's the perfect balance of comfort food and nutrition, making it ideal for busy weeknights or weekly meal prep. Best of all, it's made with simple ingredients, comes together with minimal effort, and reheats beautifully, so you'll have delicious, high-protein lunches or dinners ready to enjoy all week.

Servings: 4
Per serving: ~440 kcal
Macros (per serving): 35 g protein | 49 g carbs | 12 g fat

Ingredients

• 240 g dry pasta
• 400 g chicken breast strips
• 400 g cherry tomatoes
• 200 g fresh spinach
• 20 g olive oil (about 1½ tbsp)
• 200 g light cream cheese
• Salt, black pepper, and garlic powder (or 2–3 cloves fresh garlic), to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the sauce base:
   Add 200 g fresh spinach, 400 g cherry tomatoes, 200 g light cream cheese, 20 g olive oil, and your seasonings (salt, black pepper, and garlic) to a baking dish. Mix lightly.
2. Bake:
   Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 30–40 minutes, until the tomatoes have softened and the cream cheese is hot and creamy.
3. Cook the pasta:
   While the sauce is baking, cook 240 g dry pasta according to the package instructions. Reserve a little pasta water before draining if needed.
4. Cook the chicken:
   Season 400 g chicken breast strips with salt, pepper, and any additional spices you like. Cook in a frying pan over medium-high heat until fully cooked and lightly browned (about 6–8 minutes, depending on the thickness).
5. Combine everything:
   Remove the baking dish from the oven and stir everything together until the tomatoes burst and the cream cheese forms a smooth sauce. Add the cooked pasta and cooked chicken, then mix well. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water.
6. Serve:
   Divide into 4 portions and enjoy.

This is a simple, creamy, high-protein pasta that's great for meal prep and keeps well in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.