Oh my gosh, you have to try this Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti! It’s my go-to weeknight lifesaver when I want something delicious, nutritious, and on the table in under 30 minutes. The combination of juicy chicken, fresh spinach, and that rich tomato sauce clinging to perfectly al dente spaghetti? Absolute perfection. I swear, the first time I made this, my husband asked if I’d been taking cooking classes – nope, just a simple recipe that tastes way fancier than it is! What I love most is how the spinach wilts right into the sauce, sneaking in those greens without anyone noticing. Trust me, this dish will become a regular in your rotation too.
Why You’ll Love This Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti
This dish checks all the boxes for a perfect weeknight meal:
- Speedy prep: From fridge to table in just 30 minutes – even faster than pizza delivery!
- Hidden nutrition: The spinach melts right into that rich tomato sauce – kids won’t even notice those greens.
- One-pan wonder: Minimal cleanup means more time to relax after dinner.
- Crowd-pleaser: Simple flavors everyone loves, with easy ways to customize (hello, extra Parmesan!).
- Meal prep friendly: Tastes even better next day for lunch – if there’s any left!
Ingredients for Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this vibrant dish come together perfectly – I promise it’s all simple ingredients you might already have:
- Pasta: 8 oz spaghetti (about half a standard box)
- Protein: 1 lb chicken breast, diced into bite-sized pieces
- Veggies: 2 cups packed fresh spinach (it wilts down a lot!), 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with their juices
- Aromatics: 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tbsp pre-minced)
- Pantry Staples: 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to taste
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
No fresh spinach? Frozen works too – just thaw and squeeze out excess water first. Chicken thighs add richer flavor if you prefer them. And while totally optional, a sprinkle of Parmesan at the end makes everything better! The tomato liquid is key for sauce consistency, so don’t drain that can.
How to Make Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti
Alright, let’s dive into making this gorgeous pasta dish! I promise it’s easier than it looks – just follow these simple steps and you’ll have restaurant-quality spaghetti at home.
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
First, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil (trust me, this seasons the pasta from within!). Add your spaghetti and cook for about 1 minute less than the package says – we want it al dente since it’ll cook more later. Drain it, but save about ½ cup of that starchy pasta water – it’s liquid gold for adjusting sauce consistency later!
Step 2: Sauté Chicken and Garlic
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a big skillet over medium-high heat. Add your diced chicken – don’t crowd the pan! – and let it get some nice golden color for maximum flavor (about 5-6 minutes). When the chicken’s nearly done, toss in that minced garlic and stir for just 30 seconds until fragrant – any longer and it might burn!
Step 3: Simmer Tomatoes and Spinach
Now the fun part! Pour in those diced tomatoes with all their juices and sprinkle the Italian seasoning. Let this bubble away for about 5 minutes – you’ll see the sauce thicken beautifully. Finally, stir in your fresh spinach by handfuls – it wilts down so fast! Once it’s just softened (about 1 minute), toss everything with your cooked spaghetti. If it looks dry, add splashes of that reserved pasta water until it’s gloriously saucy.
Tips for Perfect Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti
After making this dish more times than I can count, here are my hard-earned secrets for the absolute best results every single time:
- Spinach timing is everything: Toss it in last and just until wilted – overcooked spinach turns mushy and loses that beautiful bright green color. I like to turn off the heat before adding it, letting residual warmth do the work.
- Season in layers: Salt the pasta water, season the chicken while cooking, then do a final taste test at the end. The tomatoes can vary in saltiness, so I always wait until everything’s combined to adjust.
- Brown that chicken! Don’t rush the searing step – those golden bits on the chicken add incredible depth of flavor. If the pan gets crowded, cook in batches – it’s worth the extra few minutes.
- Undercook the pasta slightly: Remember it’ll keep cooking when mixed with the hot sauce. I pull my spaghetti 1 minute early – it finishes perfectly al dente in the skillet.
- Pasta water is magic: That starchy liquid helps the sauce cling to every noodle. If your dish looks dry after combining, add it a tablespoon at a time until it reaches saucy perfection.
Serving Suggestions for Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti
Oh, this dish is practically begging to be served with some crusty garlic bread for wiping up every last bit of that delicious tomato sauce! If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll toss together a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette on the side – the peppery greens cut through the richness perfectly. Either way, don’t forget the Parmesan cheese at the table for that final flavor boost!
Storage and Reheating
This Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti keeps beautifully in the fridge! Just pop any leftovers in an airtight container – they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days. When reheating, I add a tablespoon of water to the pan or microwave-safe dish to bring back that saucy texture. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making it perfect for meal prep lunches!
Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti Nutrition
One serving of this delicious pasta packs a nutritional punch while tasting absolutely indulgent! Here’s the estimated breakdown (remember, values vary slightly based on your exact ingredients):
- Calories: About 350 per serving
- Protein: 28g (thanks to all that chicken!)
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 5g
- Fat: 8g (mostly healthy fats from olive oil)
The spinach gives you a nice dose of iron and vitamin K, while the tomatoes contribute vitamin C. And here’s my favorite part – the protein-to-carb ratio means this meal keeps you satisfied for hours without that heavy pasta slump. Just goes to show comfort food can be good for you too!
FAQs About Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti
Can I use frozen spinach?
Absolutely! Just thaw and squeeze out excess water first. I actually keep frozen spinach on hand for last-minute meals – it works great in this recipe (though fresh gives prettier green specks).
How to add more protein?
Easy! I sometimes toss in extra chicken, or stir in white beans at the end. A sprinkle of Parmesan or nutritional yeast adds protein too. My husband loves when I add sautéed shrimp for a surf-and-turf twist!
Best pasta substitute?
Whole wheat spaghetti works beautifully, or try chickpea pasta for extra protein. When I’m cutting carbs, I use zucchini noodles – just add them raw at the end so they stay crisp-tender. The sauce clings perfectly to any noodle!
30-Minute Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti That Will Shock You
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A delicious and nutritious Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti dish that combines tender chicken, fresh spinach, and rich tomato sauce with perfectly cooked spaghetti.
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb chicken breast, diced
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced chicken and cook until no longer pink.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
- Stir in diced tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add fresh spinach and cook until wilted.
- Toss the cooked spaghetti with the chicken and spinach mixture.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breast with chicken thighs for a richer flavor.
- Add grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving.
- For extra heat, sprinkle red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Tomato Spinach Chicken Spaghetti, Italian pasta, healthy dinner