Weeknight Chicken Florentine Pasta Recipes

CHICKEN FLORENTINE PASTA

Steps:

• In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook penne according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Season both sides of chicken with salt, pepper and oregano and cook until golden and no longer pink in the middle, 8 minutes per side. Transfer chicken a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips.
• Make sauce: Add the white wine to deglaze the pan. When the wine is simmering, use a wooden spoon to scrape all the golden chicken bits from the pan. (They have a lot of flavor that you'll want in your sauce!)
• Add tomatoes and garlic and cook until the tomatoes soften slightly, about 2 minutes. Add cream and bring mixture back to a simmer. Add mozzarella and Parmesan and stir until the cheese melts. Season sauce with salt and pepper.
• Turn off heat and add in the cooked penne, baby spinach, parsley and red pepper flakes (if using). Toss until the pasta is evenly coated in sauce and the spinach has wilted slightly. Serve immediately.

CHICKEN FLORENTINE PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package instructions then drain and set aside (while pasta cooks, continue on).
• Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat a large, deep pan over medium heat and add 2 Tbsp oil. Add chicken and sauté the first side until golden brown (5 min), flip, cover and sauté another 5 min or until cooked through. Remove from pan and rest 10 min before slicing against the grain.
• In the same pan, add 1 Tbsp oil if needed along with sliced mushrooms and green onion. Sauté until soft and golden (5 min). Remove from pan and set aside.
• In the same pan, add 2 Tbsp butter, 3 Tbsp flour and pressed garlic then whisk 2 min. Slowly whisk in 1 cup chicken broth then 1 cup milk. Bring to a simmer and whisk until smooth and creamy (2 min). Add spinach and stir until wilted (1 min). Add 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper or season to taste.
• Add sliced chicken, sautéed mushrooms and drained pasta and toss to combine. Season to taste if needed and serve with parmesan cheese.

CREAMY CHICKEN FLORENTINE PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.
• While the macaroni is cooking, combine chicken, Swiss and mozzarella cheeses, mayonnaise, basil, and onion in a bowl. Add spinach, condensed soup, garlic powder, thyme, and pepper; mix to combine.
• Drain macaroni. Gently stir into the chicken mixture. Transfer to an ungreased 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Toss bread crumbs with melted butter; sprinkle over the casserole.
• Bake, uncovered, in the preheated oven until bubbly, 40 to 45 minutes.

PESTO CHICKEN FLORENTINE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add garlic, saute for 1 minute; then add chicken and cook for 7 to 8 minutes on each side. When chicken is close to being cooked through (no longer pink inside), add spinach and saute all together for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare Alfredo sauce according to package directions. When finished, stir in 2 tablespoons pesto; set aside.
• In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Rinse under cold water and drain.
• Add chicken/spinach mixture to pasta, then stir in pesto/Alfredo sauce. Mix well, top with cheese and serve.

CHICKEN FLORENTINE

Steps:

• Put a large skillet over medium-high heat for 2 or 3 minutes.
• Add 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet and swirl it around
• Put about .25 cup of flour on a plate. When the butter foam subsides, dredge the chicken in flour, shaking to remove the excess.
• Add the breasts to the skillet and cook so there is a constant sizzle but no burning.
• Cook, turning once, until the chicken is browned on both sides and nearly cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
• Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
• Add 1 pound spinach to the skillet and cook, undisturbed, until the liquid from the spinach evaporates completely.
• With the heat still on medium-high, add .5 cup of white wine to the skillet and let it bubble, stirring, until it is reduced by half, about 2 minutes.
• Wait 30 seconds, then stir in .5 cup heavy or sour cream (yogurt is fine if you keep the heat low). Turn heat to low, stirring, until slightly thickened.
• Return the chicken to the skillet, turn in the sauce and serve.