Spinach Stuffed Chicken Rigatoni: Delicious and Easy Recipe

Welcome to a delicious journey into the world of comforting Italian cuisine with our flavorful recipe for Stuffed Chicken Spinach Rigatoni. This dish is a delightful combination of tender chicken breasts, creamy spinach filling, and al dente rigatoni pasta, all drenched in a decadent Parmesan cream sauce.

In this recipe, we take succulent chicken breasts and stuff them with a savory mixture of cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh parsley, creating a burst of flavors in every bite. Paired with the wholesome goodness of spinach and the satisfying chew of rigatoni pasta, this dish is a true crowd-pleaser that will have your loved ones coming back for seconds.

Indulge in the rich and creamy Parmesan sauce that ties everything together, elevating the Stuffed Chicken Spinach Rigatoni to a whole new level of culinary delight. Whether you’re looking for a cozy family dinner or an impressive dish to serve at your next gathering, this recipe is sure to be a hit. Let’s dive in and savor the comforting flavors of this delectable creation!

Quick Benefits

• Rich in protein from the chicken breasts
• Packed with vitamins and minerals from the spinach
• Creamy and indulgent with the cream cheese and heavy cream

Why You’ll Love This Spinach Stuffed Chicken Rigatoni: Delicious and Easy Recipe Recipe

• The combination of tender chicken, creamy cheese, and flavorful sun-dried tomatoes creates a delicious and satisfying filling for the rigatoni.
• The spinach adds a pop of color and a nutritious element to the dish, making it a well-balanced meal.
• The creamy sauce made with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese coats the pasta perfectly, providing a rich and indulgent flavor.
• The addition of nutmeg in the sauce enhances the overall taste profile, adding a hint of warmth and depth to the dish.
• This recipe is a great way to impress guests at a dinner party or enjoy a special homemade meal with your family.

Ingredients for Spinach Stuffed Chicken Rigatoni: Delicious and Easy Recipe

Stuffed Chicken Breasts

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 cup cream cheese, softened
• 5 sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons salt, divided

Creamy Spinach Rigatoni

• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1½ teaspoons salt
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 8 oz rigatoni pasta
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

How to Make Spinach Stuffed Chicken Rigatoni: Delicious and Easy Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Stuff Chicken

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Butterfly chicken breasts horizontally without cutting through. Season with 1½ tsp salt and ½ tsp pepper. Mix cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, parsley, salt, and pepper. Fill chicken breasts, close, and secure with toothpicks.

Step 2: Sear and Bake Chicken

In a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat, heat butter and olive oil. Sear stuffed chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes at 165°F internal temperature. Let rest before serving.

Step 3: Cook the Pasta

While the chicken is baking, cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Step 4: Start Cream Sauce

Using the same skillet from cooking the chicken, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and 1 teaspoon of salt, sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Pour in heavy cream and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often until slightly thickened.

Step 5: Thicken and Season Sauce

In a small bowl, mix flour and 3 tablespoons water until smooth. Stir into the cream sauce and cook for 5 minutes until thickened. Add Parmesan, nutmeg, and spinach. Simmer until spinach wilts, about 3-5 minutes.

Step 6: Combine and Serve

Combine the cooked rigatoni with the creamy spinach sauce in the skillet. Plate the pasta, top with sliced stuffed chicken breasts, remove toothpicks, and serve hot.

Storage Tips

Once you have prepared and enjoyed the delicious Stuffed Chicken Spinach Rigatoni, it is important to store any leftovers properly. To store this dish, allow it to cool completely at room temperature. Transfer the leftover pasta and chicken to an airtight container or airtight resealable bags. Make sure to separate the pasta and chicken if possible to maintain their textures.

Refrigerate the Stuffed Chicken Spinach Rigatoni promptly after preparing it. This dish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy the leftovers, reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of cream or broth to maintain the creaminess of the sauce. Remember to stir the dish occasionally while reheating to ensure even warming. If you find the dish has dried out slightly during storage, you can add a little extra cream or a dash of olive oil to revive its original texture. Enjoy your leftovers within the recommended storage time for the best taste and quality.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you’re looking to make some substitutions for this Stuffed Chicken Spinach Rigatoni recipe, there are a few options you can consider. For the cream cheese in the chicken stuffing, you could swap it out for ricotta cheese or a mixture of Greek yogurt and feta for a tangier flavor. If you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes on hand, you could use fresh tomatoes or roasted red peppers for a similar sweetness and depth of flavor.

In the creamy pasta sauce, heavy cream can be replaced with half-and-half or a mixture of milk and melted butter for a lighter option. If you’re out of Parmesan cheese, you could try using Pecorino Romano or Asiago for a different but still delicious cheesy flavor. Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your taste preferences by using different herbs or spices in place of parsley or nutmeg.

Serving Suggestions

For a creative serving suggestion with the Stuffed Chicken Spinach Rigatoni, consider plating each chicken breast on a bed of creamy spinach rigatoni. Garnish the dish with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for an added touch of sweetness and acidity. This presentation will not only look elegant but also enhance the flavors of the dish.

Another serving idea for the Stuffed Chicken Spinach Rigatoni is to slice the chicken breasts into medallions and fan them out on a platter. Arrange the rigatoni pasta around the chicken slices and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color. Serve with a side of garlic bread or a simple green salad to complete the meal. This presentation is perfect for a family-style dinner or a casual gathering with friends.

FAQs for Spinach Stuffed Chicken Rigatoni: Delicious and Easy Recipe

Question?

Can I use dried parsley instead of fresh parsley?

Question?

Can I substitute the cream cheese with another type of cheese?

Question?

Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh spinach?

Question?

Can I omit the sun-dried tomatoes from the recipe?

Conclusion

As you take your first bite of the deliciously creamy and flavorful Stuffed Chicken Spinach Rigatoni, I hope it brings a smile to your face and warmth to your soul. This dish is not just a meal; it’s a labor of love and a celebration of good food shared with loved ones. The combination of tender chicken, vibrant spinach, and al dente rigatoni all bathed in a luxurious cream sauce is sure to become a favorite at your table.

So, don’t hesitate to recreate this comforting Stuffed Chicken Spinach Rigatoni in your own kitchen. Whether it’s for a cozy family dinner or a gathering with friends, this recipe will surely impress and satisfy all who gather around your table. Enjoy the process of cooking and savoring each bite of this delightful dish. Stuffed Chicken Spinach Rigatoni is more than just food; it’s a culinary experience that you’ll want to revisit time and time again.

Spinach Stuffed Chicken Rigatoni: Delicious and Easy Recipe

Indulge in creamy Stuffed Chicken Spinach Rigatoni, a decadent dish marrying tender chicken, cheesy spinach stuffing, and rich pasta in one flavorful bite.

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Prep Time20 Minutes

Cook Time40 Minutes

Total Time60 Minutes

CuisineMediterranean

Skill LevelEasy

Servings4 Servings (4 stuffed chicken breasts with pasta)

Ingredients

Stuffed Chicken Breasts

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 cup cream cheese, softened
• 5 sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons salt, divided

Creamy Spinach Rigatoni

• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1½ teaspoons salt
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 8 oz rigatoni pasta
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

1. Prepare and Stuff Chicken: 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Butterfly chicken breasts horizontally without cutting through. Season with 1½ tsp salt and ½ tsp pepper. Mix cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, parsley, salt, and pepper. Fill chicken breasts, close, and secure with toothpicks.
2. Sear and Bake Chicken: In a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat, heat butter and olive oil. Sear stuffed chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes at 165°F internal temperature. Let rest before serving.
3. Cook the Pasta: While the chicken is baking, cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
4. Start Cream Sauce: Using the same skillet from cooking the chicken, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and 1 teaspoon of salt, sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Pour in heavy cream and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often until slightly thickened.
5. Thicken and Season Sauce: In a small bowl, mix flour and 3 tablespoons water until smooth. Stir into the cream sauce and cook for 5 minutes until thickened. Add Parmesan, nutmeg, and spinach. Simmer until spinach wilts, about 3-5 minutes.
6. Combine and Serve: Combine the cooked rigatoni with the creamy spinach sauce in the skillet. Plate the pasta, top with sliced stuffed chicken breasts, remove toothpicks, and serve hot.