If you’re looking for a cozy yet fresh dinner that feels a bit fancy but comes together super easily, then you’re going to love this Creamy Spinach Ricotta Pasta with Lemon Chicken Recipe. I absolutely fell in love the first time I made it—there’s something about the creamy ricotta paired with bright lemon and tender chicken that just hits all the right notes. Stick around because I’m sharing all my tips so you can nail this at home and have your family asking for seconds (or thirds!).

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Simple: It comes together in about 35 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something homemade fast.
Bright and Fresh Flavors: The lemon zest and juice really brighten the creamy sauce and chicken, keeping the dish light and lively.
Comfort Meets Freshness: Creamy ricotta and spinach combine to make a luscious sauce that’s still packed with greens.
Family Favorite: My whole family goes crazy for this, and it’s a great way to sneak some veggies into a kid-friendly meal.

The image shows a close-up view of a white bowl filled with sliced golden-brown grilled chicken on the left side. The chicken has a slightly crispy, shiny texture with visible seasoning and small cooked garlic pieces on top. Next to the chicken, there is a creamy pasta with fettuccine noodles that are light yellow and mixed with white sauce and green spinach leaves. Some parts of the pasta have a slight shine from the sauce, and small bits of white cheese are sprinkled throughout. The white bowl rests on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Spinach Ricotta Pasta with Lemon Chicken, quick creamy pasta with lemon chicken and spinach, easy lemon chicken pasta recipe, healthy creamy chicken pasta, flavorful spinach ricotta pasta

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient here plays a special role — the lemon gives it a fresh zing, ricotta makes it creamy without heaviness, and fresh herbs elevate everything. When shopping, I always recommend picking the freshest spinach and quality ricotta for the best flavor.

Flat lay of two skinless, boneless raw chicken breasts, a small mound of fresh spinach leaves, a small white ceramic bowl holding creamy ricotta cheese, a few strands of cooked linguine pasta twisted neatly, a small white bowl with olive oil, a small white bowl with melted butter, one whole uncracked brown egg, two whole garlic cloves and one sliced garlic clove, one whole lemon cut in half showing juicy interior and one whole lemon, a small white bowl with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, fresh sprigs of basil and mint leaves scattered naturally, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Creamy Spinach Ricotta Pasta with Lemon Chicken, quick creamy pasta with lemon chicken and spinach, easy lemon chicken pasta recipe, healthy creamy chicken pasta, flavorful spinach ricotta pasta

Olive oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil to enhance the flavor of your chicken and sauce.
Chicken breasts: Skinless and boneless works best here for quick cooking and tenderness.
Butter: Adds richness and helps create that luscious lemon butter sauce for the chicken.
Garlic: I love using fresh cloves—sliced and minced—for a real punch in both the chicken and pasta sauce.
Lemon: You’ll need both zest and juice to brighten the sauce and the chicken beautifully.
Pasta: Linguine or your favorite long pasta works wonderfully to hold the creamy sauce.
Ricotta cheese: The star of the creamy sauce—look for whole milk ricotta for extra creaminess.
Reserved pasta water: A simple trick to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the pasta.
Fresh spinach: Adds vibrant color, nutrition, and a subtle earthy note to the sauce.
Fresh mint and basil: These herbs add a lovely fragrance and freshness that I find really elevates the dish.
Salt and pepper: To season and balance the flavors perfectly.
Grated Parmesan cheese: For serving—adds an extra layer of savory goodness.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I like to keep things flexible depending on what’s in my fridge or what flavors I’m craving. This recipe is super adaptable, so don’t hesitate to mix it up!

Swap the chicken for shrimp: When I’m feeling a seafood mood, grilled shrimp works beautifully here for a lighter protein option.
Use different herbs: I sometimes add oregano or thyme instead of mint and basil—it gives the sauce a more earthy Mediterranean vibe.
Make it vegetarian: Skip the chicken and toss in some sautéed mushrooms or roasted bell peppers for a satisfying meatless version.
Try whole wheat pasta: For extra fiber and a nuttier taste—just adjust the cooking time accordingly.

How to Make Creamy Spinach Ricotta Pasta with Lemon Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Sear the Chicken with Lemon and Garlic

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper, then add them to the pan. Sear for about 6-7 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through. During the last few minutes, add butter and sliced garlic to the pan, spooning the garlic butter over the chicken as it finishes cooking. Squeeze half a lemon over the top for that fresh citrus boost. I’ve learned that basting the chicken like this keeps it juicy and infuses amazing flavor, so don’t skip this step!

Step 2: Cook the Pasta and Save Some Water

While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your linguine or favorite pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Before draining, scoop out about half a cup of the starchy pasta water and set it aside. This little trick is magic when it comes to making a silky sauce that clings perfectly to the noodles.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Spinach Ricotta Sauce

In the same skillet where you cooked the chicken (no need to wash it!), melt a tablespoon of butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant—about 1 minute. Add the fresh spinach and cook until just wilted. Then stir in the ricotta cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Pour in the reserved pasta water a little at a time, stirring until you reach a creamy and smooth sauce consistency. Toss in chopped mint and basil, and season with salt to taste. You’ll find that the ricotta melts into this luscious sauce that coats every strand of pasta perfectly.

Step 4: Combine and Serve

Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with your sauce, tossing everything together so the noodles soak up that creamy goodness. Slice the lemon butter chicken breasts and lay them on top of the pasta. Don’t forget to sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese just before serving—this is the icing on the cake that brings everything together.

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Pro Tips for Making Creamy Spinach Ricotta Pasta with Lemon Chicken Recipe

Reserve Pasta Water: Adding reserved pasta water gradually helps loosen the ricotta sauce and helps it coat the pasta beautifully.
Don’t Overcook Chicken: Keep an eye on the chicken to avoid dryness—basting with lemon garlic butter really helps keep it moist.
Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh mint and basil really bring the sauce to life with their bright aromas; dried works in a pinch but fresh is best.
Skip Washing the Pan: Leaving the fond in the pan after cooking chicken adds extra flavor to your sauce without any extra effort.

How to Serve Creamy Spinach Ricotta Pasta with Lemon Chicken Recipe

The image shows a large white pan filled with creamy pasta and two sliced golden-brown cooked chicken pieces placed on opposite sides. The pasta noodles are light yellow and mixed with dark green spinach leaves, all coated in a white creamy sauce with a crumbly texture. There are small pieces of cooked garlic and a slice of yellow lemon tucked inside the noodles near the chicken. The background is a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Spinach Ricotta Pasta with Lemon Chicken, quick creamy pasta with lemon chicken and spinach, easy lemon chicken pasta recipe, healthy creamy chicken pasta, flavorful spinach ricotta pasta

Garnishes

I love adding a sprinkle of extra Parmesan and a few fresh basil leaves on top—just simple, fresh garnishes that make the dish pop visually and taste-wise. Sometimes, I add a pinch of red chili flakes for a subtle kick when I want a bit of heat.

Side Dishes

This pasta dish stands out on its own but pairs perfectly with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables like asparagus or cherry tomatoes tossed with garlic and olive oil. A crunchy garlic bread on the side also never fails to impress guests.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special dinner, I like plating the pasta in a shallow bowl, arranging sliced lemon butter chicken on top, then drizzling some extra lemon butter from the pan over everything with a scattering of fresh herbs and edible flowers for color. It’s such a simple way to elevate this comforting dish!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers tightly covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. I find the sauce thickens quite a bit, so it’s normal for it to seem a little dense at first—just loosen it with a splash of water or milk when reheating.

Freezing

Freezing this dish is possible but I prefer freezing the chicken separately from the pasta sauce. Ricotta-based sauces can sometimes separate when frozen and thawed, so I recommend freezing in airtight containers and thawing overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of reserved pasta water or cream to bring back that creamy texture. Microwave works in a pinch, but warm it in short bursts and stir frequently to keep the ricotta sauce smooth.

FAQs

Can I use frozen spinach in this Creamy Spinach Ricotta Pasta with Lemon Chicken Recipe?

Yes, you can! Just thaw and drain the frozen spinach well before adding it to the sauce to avoid excess water watering down the creaminess. Fresh spinach gives the best texture and flavor, but frozen spinach works if that’s what you have on hand.
What kind of pasta is best for this recipe?

I recommend long pasta like linguine or fettuccine because their shape catches and holds the creamy sauce beautifully. That said, feel free to use your favorite pasta shape—penne or rigatoni also works if you want something different.
Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! You can swap ricotta for a dairy-free alternative or blend silken tofu for a similar creamy effect. Use dairy-free butter substitutes and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan to keep that umami flavor while making it vegan-friendly.
How do I keep the chicken moist?

Cooking the chicken in olive oil and butter, then basting with garlic lemon butter during the last few minutes, locks in moisture and keeps it juicy. Also, avoid overcooking by checking for doneness early—using a meat thermometer is a handy trick for precision.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Spinach Ricotta Pasta with Lemon Chicken Recipe has become one of my go-to dishes when I want something cozy yet bright and fresh. I love how the flavors balance out, and it feels like a special dinner without any fuss. I really hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—it’s a recipe that’s both comforting and refreshing, perfect for sharing with loved ones or treating yourself after a long day. Give it a try and tell me how it goes!