Recipe: Olive Garden Heart Healthy Chicken and Pasta (using spinach and chicken broth)

OLIVE GARDEN HEART HEALTHY CHICKEN AND PASTA

1 1/4 lb. fresh spinach
1 cup chicken broth
8 ounces fresh pasta shells (or 6 ounces dry pasta shells)
1 tsp. olive oil or vegetable spray
4 medium cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg or mace
salt and ground black pepper
1 lb. grilled boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut 1-inch cubes
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Cook the spinach in the chicken broth until tender. Drain and reserve broth. Press out excess liquid from spinach. Set aside.

Cook pasta according to package directions.

While the pasta is cooking, preheat a saute pan or heavy skillet over medium heat, add the oil or vegetable spray and saute the garlic, stirring constantly, until it is white. Don't allow it to brown.

Add the spinach and nutmeg or mace, salt and pepper to the skillet. Add the chicken pieces to the spinach. Stir and turn the mixture until it is hot, adding a small amount of the reserved cooking broth as necessary.

When the pasta is done, drain and add to the spinach mixture; toss together well. Serve immediately with Parmesan.

Adapted from source: The Olive Garden