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Spinach Ricotta Pasta with Lemon Butter Chicken

Spinach Ricotta Pasta with Lemon Butter Chicken

A delightful dish featuring spinach ricotta pasta served with succulent lemon butter chicken.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2 plates
Calories 766 kcal

Equipment

  • frying pan
  • large pot

Ingredients
  

For the lemon butter chicken

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 chicken breasts skinless and boneless
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 clove sliced garlic

For the spinach ricotta pasta

  • 450 g pasta such as linguine
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 lemon zest and juice
  • 250 g ricotta cheese
  • 125 ml reserved pasta water ½ cup
  • 100 g fresh spinach
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped mint or 1 teaspoon dried mint
  • 2 tablespoon fresh chopped basil or 2 teaspoon dried basil
  • salt
  • 2 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions
 

For the lemon butter chicken

  • Season 2 chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. Preheat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan and sear the chicken breasts on each side until golden.
  • Lower the heat, then add butter, sliced garlic and let it cook for 30 seconds, then add lemon juice to the pan together with a few lemon slices and stir to combine.
  • Cover the pan and let the chicken breasts cook on low heat, turning them over once and basting them with the juices a couple of times for approximately 10 minutes until no longer pink inside.
  • Remove to a separate plate and keep warm till needed.

For the spinach ricotta pasta

  • Cook the pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted water.
  • While the pasta is cooking, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large pan, add sliced garlic and cook for 30 seconds on low heat, then add lemon zest and lemon juice, ricotta cheese and ½ cup of pasta water.
  • Mix everything until the ricotta is well incorporated.
  • Add fresh spinach, chopped mint and basil, cover with a lid and let the greens wilt for 2 minutes.
  • Take the lid off and stir everything to combine, add salt to taste.
  • Drain the pasta and add directly to the pan with spinach ricotta sauce, toss to combine.
  • Slice the lemon butter chicken and place on top of pasta. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

Notes

Cooking pasta al dente means that the pasta retains some chewiness instead of becoming soggy. Be sure to use fresh pasta for the best results. The ricotta sauce needs to be cooked over low heat to avoid curdling the cheese.

Nutrition

Serving: 1plateCalories: 766kcalCarbohydrates: 91gProtein: 48gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 324mgPotassium: 844mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1770IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 229mgIron: 2.6mg
Keyword chicken dinner, comfort food, Easy Dinner Recipe, Lemon Butter Chicken, Pasta Recipes, Spinach Ricotta Pasta
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