Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta

Cozy Homemade Creamy Chicken Spinach Pasta

Creamy Spinach Chicken Alfredo (with a Vegan-Friendly Cashew Sauce Option!)

A cozy, comforting, high-protein pasta dinner you’ll want to make again and again.

If you love creamy pasta, tender chicken, and bright, nourishing flavors, this recipe is going to become one of your absolute favorites. It brings together seasoned pan-seared chicken breast, a silky cashew-based Alfredo sauce, sautéed aromatics, fresh spinach, and either fettuccine or penne. It’s indulgent enough to feel special, but grounded in whole ingredients so you can enjoy it any night of the week.

Whether you eat dairy-free, are experimenting with whole-food recipes, or simply want a lighter alternative to traditional Alfredo, this dish gives you the best of both worlds. The texture is dreamy, the flavors are bold, and the method is simple enough for beginners — but the end result tastes restaurant-quality.

Below is the full step-by-step recipe so you can recreate the exact dish you shared in your video.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 2 large chicken breasts

• 1½ tsp paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• ½ tsp red pepper flakes or cayenne

• 1 tsp salt (divided)

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1–2 tbsp avocado oil

• Fresh juice of ½ lemon (for rinsing)

For the Pan

• 1 small white onion, chopped

• 3–4 cloves garlic, freshly chopped

• 1 inch fresh ginger, finely chopped

• 1 tbsp extra olive oil (optional)

• 1–2 handfuls fresh spinach

For the Creamy Cashew Alfredo Sauce

• 1 cup raw cashews (soaked 20–30 minutes in hot water)

• 1 cup unsweetened milk (cashew, almond, oat, or regular dairy milk)

• 1–2 tbsp nutritional yeast

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• ½–1 tsp salt (to taste)

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• Pinch red chili flakes

• Optional: 1 tsp flour or cornstarch to thicken

For the Pasta

• 8–10 oz fettuccine or penne rigate

• Salt for boiling water

Step 1: Prepare and Season the Chicken

Start by rinsing your chicken breasts with fresh lemon juice. Pat them dry so they sear beautifully in the pan.

Season both sides generously with:

• paprika

• garlic powder

• onion powder

• black pepper

• red pepper flakes

• a light sprinkle of salt

Heat avocado oil in a stainless-steel or non-toxic nonstick skillet. When the pan is hot, lay the chicken breasts in and let them sear without moving them. This gives them the gorgeous golden crust you showed in your video.

Cook each side 5–7 minutes, depending on thickness, until fully cooked through and beautifully browned. Remove from the pan and set aside to rest.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

In the same pan — using all that flavorful seasoning and browned bits — add:

• chopped white onion

• chopped fresh garlic

• chopped fresh ginger

Let everything soften and become fragrant. You don’t need to rush this step. Slow sautéing creates depth and gives your Alfredo sauce the richness people love.

If the pan looks dry, add 1 tbsp olive oil.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Cashew Alfredo Sauce

While your aromatics are cooking, blend your cashew sauce.

In a blender combine:

• soaked cashews

• your milk of choice

• nutritional yeast

• olive oil

• oregano

• salt and pepper

• a pinch of red chili flakes

Blend until completely silky. This should look like a classic Alfredo — smooth, creamy, and pourable.

If you want a thicker texture, add:

• 1 tsp flour OR

• ½ tsp cornstarch

  and blend again.

Taste and adjust salt/seasoning as needed.

Step 4: Build the Alfredo Pasta

Pour your cashew sauce directly into the pan with the softened onions, garlic, and ginger. Mix well and let it gently simmer. The heat will help the sauce tighten and become even creamier.

Add in:

• fresh chopped parsley

• spinach

The spinach will soften in under a minute, adding color and nutrients.

Slice your cooked chicken breasts and add them back into the sauce so the flavors merge.

Step 5: Cook Your Pasta

Boil your pasta in salted water until al dente.

Reserve ½ cup of pasta water — this is gold for adjusting the sauce texture.

Drain the pasta, add it directly into your Alfredo sauce, and gently toss until every noodle is coated.

If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of pasta water.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Plate your pasta with several slices of the golden chicken breast on top. Add extra parsley, black pepper, and chili flakes for a beautiful finish.

Serve warm, preferably right away — though leftovers taste amazing too.

Storage Tips

• Store in an airtight glass container.

• Keeps up to 3 days in the fridge.

• Add a splash of milk when reheating to revive the creaminess.

Final Note

Please do not consume this recipe if you are allergic or believe you may be allergic to any of the ingredients listed.