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Penne with Chicken, Ricotta and Spinach

A big breast browned and sliced through penne, with spinach wilted into ricotta loosened with pasta water and sharpened with lemon.

25min
948kcal
83.8gprotein
Penne with Chicken, Ricotta and Spinach — Italian recipe, finished and plated
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Ingredients

Servings 1
  • 105 g Penne
  • 280 g Chicken breast
  • 50 g Ricotta
  • 80 g Spinach
  • 2 tsp Extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ Lemon
  • 20 g Parmigiano-Reggiano (optional)

Method

  1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and salt it.
  2. Open the chicken breast out flat so it cooks at one thickness and season it. Beat the ricotta smooth with the lemon juice.
  3. Cook the chicken in the olive oil, six minutes on the first side and four on the second, until it is well coloured and springs back under a finger. Move it to a board.
  4. Drop the spinach into the hot pan off the flame and turn it through the chicken fat until it just collapses. Leave the breast on the board to rest while it wilts.
  5. Cook the penne in the boiling water until it still has a firm centre, about ten minutes. Drain, saving a ladleful of the water.
  6. Loosen the lemon ricotta with two spoons of the hot pasta water until it pours, toss it through the pasta and spinach, slice the rested chicken across the grain and lay it over. Grate the parmesan on top.

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About Penne with Chicken, Ricotta and Spinach

Penne with Chicken, Ricotta and Spinach is an Italian lunch or dinner that comes together in about 25 minutes and serves 1.

Penne with Chicken, Ricotta and Spinach: frequently asked questions

How many calories are in Penne with Chicken, Ricotta and Spinach?

A serving has about 948 calories — 83.8g protein, 86.7g carbs, 29.6g fat, 5.2g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.

Is it high in protein?

Each serving has about 83.8g of protein, roughly 35% of its calories.

Is Penne with Chicken, Ricotta and Spinach gluten-free?

As written, no — it contains Penne. You'd need a certified gluten-free swap for that ingredient to make it gluten-free.

Is Penne with Chicken, Ricotta and Spinach dairy-free?

Not as written — it uses Ricotta, Parmigiano-Reggiano. Swapping those for a plant-based alternative makes it dairy-free.

Do I need every ingredient to make Penne with Chicken, Ricotta and Spinach?

The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out parmigiano-reggiano — it's optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.

How many servings does Penne with Chicken, Ricotta and Spinach make?

This recipe makes 1 serving. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.