What's the point of saving pasta water?

It’s starchy and helps the sauce stick to the pasta while making it smoother. Make sure not to forget this step!

Any quick pasta-cooking tip?

Swap dried pasta for fresh tagliatelle—it cooks way faster and cuts down your cooking time.

How to make this dish spicier?

Sprinkle some red chili flakes on top before serving. A little extra Parmesan or black pepper won't hurt either.

What pasta shape should I use?

Any shape works, but penne, fusilli, or tagliatelle really soak up the sauce. Try fresh pasta for a quicker meal.

Can I add more veggies?

Sure thing! Toss in some peas, mushrooms, or broccoli along with the spinach and corn.

15-Min Easy Leftover Pasta Dish with Chicken

A creamy pasta bowl filled with chicken, sweetcorn, spinach, and penne, topped with cheese and pepper. | delishdocket.com

Here's how I turn leftover chicken into pure comfort food. This dreamy pasta with a rich, creamy sauce is my absolute lifesaver for those fast weeknight meals. My crew actually cheers when there's leftover chicken now.

What Makes This Shine

This one takes the stress out of weekday dinners for me. It's my back-pocket hack for when I'm rushing but still want something awesome. Plus, tossing in leftovers means less waste. Gotta love that.

Grab These Ingredients

Spinach: Just toss it in and it gets super soft and tasty in the sauce.
Parmesan: Shred it fresh for top flavor at the finish.
Sweetcorn: Pops of sweetness throughout every bite.
Milk: Keeps the sauce creamy but not too heavy.
Chicken: Chop or shred about a cup of yesterday's chicken.
Pasta: Penne is my favorite, but any shape will do for catching extra sauce.
Olive Oil: Wake up those leftovers with just a splash.
Cream Cheese: Go full-fat here for maximum creamy goodness.

How To Throw It Together

Blend It All: Mix everything up and watch the sauce hug all those noodles in creamy goodness.
Tumble In The Greens: Add spinach and let it wilt right into all that sauce.
Get It Creamy: Add your cream cheese and milk for a super velvety base.
Heat Up The Chicken: Sauté your chicken in olive oil just until it's perked up.
Boil Your Pasta: Cook the pasta in salty water and save some water before draining. You'll need it for the sauce.

Custom Touches

Switch things up! Sometimes I add mushrooms sautéed in a separate pan or sprinkle in crisp bacon. Chopped cherry tomatoes work great for color and pop. Really, just toss in whatever sounds good.

A skillet packed with creamy noodles, bits of chicken, baby spinach, and corn, all bubbling under cheese and cracked pepper. | delishdocket.com

Stay Fresh

Got leftovers? Just store them in the fridge and gently warm up with a splash of milk the next day. Honestly, we almost never have any left to put away.

Best Sides

Nothing beats scooping up sauce with garlicky bread. If I'm feeling fancy I'll mix up a speedy salad for crunch. The combo is always a crowd-pleaser.

Handy Tricks

That leftover pasta water? Total game changer for smooth sauces. Add it slowly until the whole thing is silky. And use full-fat cream cheese—it makes all the difference for flavor and texture.

Try Different Proteins

No chicken? No stress. Rotisserie chicken, leftover turkey, even chickpeas work. Each brings its own tasty vibe so feel free to experiment.

Plan Ahead Magic

Sometimes I double everything and stash extra in the fridge for easy lunches. Just remember a hit of milk when you warm it so it stays creamy.

Creamy penne pasta with chicken, sweetcorn, spinach, and pepper, right up close so you can see each cozy bite. | delishdocket.com

Kid-Friendly

Even my toughest critics ask for seconds. Fun pasta shapes keep it playful, and the creamy sauce makes sneaky extra veggies taste awesome.

Seasons In Every Bowl

I mix up the veggies with whatever's in season. Fresh zucchini and peppers for summer, roasted squash or kale when it's cold. Keeps things feeling new every time.

For Gluten-Free Folks

Chickpea and rice pastas work great here. The sauce sticks beautifully, so gluten-free eaters never feel left out of the fun.

Skip The Dairy

Need it dairy-free? I grab plant-based cream cheese and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast. It's different, but still totally tasty for everyone at the table.

Low-Carb Switch

Zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash are perfect if you want less carbs. Just make your sauce a bit thicker so it really grabs onto those veggies.

Dark bowl filled with creamy pasta, shredded chicken, spinach, and zips of black pepper for a cozy finish. | delishdocket.com

Make It Fancy

Celebrating? I sprinkle on toasted breadcrumbs or crunchy pine nuts. Grab a chilled white wine and it feels like a night out at home.

Fast Prep Tips

For super quick dinners, I chop, measure, and line up my ingredients early. When it's time to cook, everything comes together in a flash.

Turn Up The Heat

Sriracha or a few red pepper flakes add the perfect spicy spark. Just start with a tiny bit and add more if you want more kick.

Top It Off

Toppings make this extra fun. I’m all for a handful of toasted breadcrumbs or even almonds for a bit of crunch on top.

Go-To Crowd Pleaser

This dish totally rules at my place. It's comfy, easy, helps us cut food waste, and everyone leaves happy. Can't beat that.

Steaming hot bowl of creamy noodles with chicken, corn, and spinach, all cozied up with pepper on top. | delishdocket.com

Recipe FAQs

→ What's the point of saving pasta water?: It’s starchy and helps the sauce stick to the pasta while making it smoother. Make sure not to forget this step!
→ Any quick pasta-cooking tip?: Swap dried pasta for fresh tagliatelle—it cooks way faster and cuts down your cooking time.
→ How to make this dish spicier?: Sprinkle some red chili flakes on top before serving. A little extra Parmesan or black pepper won't hurt either.
→ What pasta shape should I use?: Any shape works, but penne, fusilli, or tagliatelle really soak up the sauce. Try fresh pasta for a quicker meal.
→ Can I add more veggies?: Sure thing! Toss in some peas, mushrooms, or broccoli along with the spinach and corn.

Creamy Chicken Pasta