Creamy Spinach, Avocado and Roasted Chicken Pasta

A nourishing green velvet pasta with roasted chicken, sweet onion, and gentle lemon brightness.

This is a deeply comforting pasta, created from simple ingredients and brought to life through gentle cooking and balance. The avocado lends silkiness without heaviness, while the roasted chicken and sweet onion create warmth and depth. It is equally suited to a quiet family dinner or thoughtful meal preparation for the days ahead.

Prep: 15 min · Cook: 25 min · Category: Dinner

Ingredients

For the sauce

• ½ avocado
• 250 g baby spinach
• ½ red onion, finely sliced
• ½ brown or yellow onion, finely sliced
• ½ heaped tablespoon garlic, minced
• 150 ml lactose free cream
• 1¼ cups chicken stock
• ½ tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

For the pasta

• 400 g spiral pasta
• 1 small head broccoli, cut into florets
• 1 roasted chicken breast, shredded
• ½ cup reserved pasta water (plus more if needed)

Method

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook slowly until soft, translucent, and lightly sweet, about 8–10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for a further 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the baby spinach and cover briefly to allow it to wilt. Stir gently until fully softened. Reserve a small handful of this mixture for finishing, then transfer the remaining mixture to a blender.
2. To the blender, add the avocado, cream, and chicken stock. Blend until completely smooth and velvety. Return the sauce to a pan over low heat. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Allow the sauce to warm gently and thicken slightly. Do not boil.
3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to packet instructions. Add the broccoli florets during the final 3–4 minutes of cooking. Before draining, reserve at least ½ cup of the pasta water. Drain and set aside.
4. Add the shredded roasted chicken to the warm sauce and allow it to heat through gently. Add the pasta and broccoli, tossing carefully to coat. Add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce and create a glossy finish. Fold through the reserved spinach and onion mixture. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Serving Suggestion

Serve warm with freshly cracked pepper and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

This pasta keeps beautifully and reheats gently with a small splash of water or stock.