Chicken Florentine pasta is a creamy, simple and extra flavorful recipe that’s just the perfect weeknight treat! With tender chicken and vibrant spinach in a smooth yet surprisingly light sauce, this could quickly become your favorite pasta dinner.

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There are nights when all I want is some comfort food that feels a bit fancy but without too much effort.

This creamy chicken Florentine pasta is the kind of meal that hits the spot every time and can truly make anyone feel like a chef.

I absolutely love how incredibly tasty this recipe is. The combination of flavors is just perfect—savory chicken, earthy mushrooms, and cheesy, garlicky sauce with a hint of Italian herbs. It doesn’t get better than this!

Fun fact: dishes like this are called “Florentine” because they feature spinach, and the convention dates back to when Catherine de Medici of Florence moved to France and introduced spinach to French cuisine.

Why you’ll love this chicken Florentine pasta

It comes together in just 30 minutes, just perfect for busy weeknights.
The creamy, garlicky sauce with tender chicken and fresh spinach is an absolute flavor bomb.
It’s a complete, satisfying meal with both protein and vegetables.

Ingredients you’ll need

Penne pasta — I prefer penne for this recipe because it holds the sauce well, but any short pasta will work great.

Olive oil + butter — Using both gives the sauce a rich flavor and prevents the butter from burning.

Chicken breast — Slice the chicken into bite-size pieces for quicker cooking and more even browning.

Shallot and garlic — Finely dice the shallot and chop the garlic to release their full flavor into the sauce.

Mushrooms — I love using crimini mushrooms for their earthy taste, but you can use any type you like.

Italian seasoning— This blend of herbs adds a perfect Italian touch to the sauce.

Heavy cream— This is the key ingredient that creates a luxuriously creamy sauce that clings to the pasta.

Baby spinach — Add the spinach at the end to keep it bright green and tender.

Parmesan — As always, freshly grated is always best!

Pro tip

Deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine after cooking the mushrooms for an extra layer of flavor.

How to make chicken florentine pasta

This is a quick overview with step-by-step photos. The full recipe with detailed steps is in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Cook the pasta: Boil water, salt it and cook the pasta al dente as per the package directions. Reserve 1-2 cups of pasta water before draining.

Cook the chicken: Heat the olive oil and melt the butter in a pan. Cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes until done and golden, then set aside.

Prepare the sauce: In the same pan, cook the shallot and garlic for 2-3 minutes; add mushrooms and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Stir in the Italian seasoning and chicken stock, then simmer. Add heavy cream and simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.

chicken florentine pasta making instructions

Combine and serve: Add the baby spinach to the sauce and simmer until wilted. Mix in the cooked pasta, chicken and Parmesan, tossing well. Adjust the thickness with some of the reserved pasta water if needed.

Substitutions and variations

Add extra vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes to pack in more nutrients and color.
Make it dairy-free by using coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative instead of heavy cream.
Other pasta shapes that work great here include rigatoni, fusilli and even fettuccine.

Recipe tips and notes for the best chicken Florentine pasta

Don’t forget to reserve some pasta water; the starchy liquid is essential for thinning out the sauce if it gets too thick.
Cook the mushrooms until they release their moisture and start to brown for the best flavor.
If you like a bit of a kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the Italian seasoning.

Leftovers and storage

This pasta dish is best served immediately to retain its creamy texture.
If you do have any leftovers, they will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat the pasta in the microwave in short bursts until heated through.
I don’t recommend freezing this chicken Florentine pasta.

More creamy pasta recipes

If you’ve tried this chicken florentine pasta recipe, please rate it and leave me a comment below! I’d love to hear how it turned out.

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